
S35? 













































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Utru^ 














/ 

HISTORY OF 

TUGALO BAPTIST 
ASSOCIATION 


REV. J. F. GOODE 


PUBLISHED BY 
THE TOCCOA RECORD 
1924 










COPYRIGHT, 1924, BY 
Rev. J. F. GOODE,' Toccoa, Georgia. 



Printed in the United States of America by 

J. J. LITTLE AND IVES COMPANY, NEW YORK 

OCT 17 *24 / 

©C1AS08377;_/ ' 


'WO 'V' 


lr?r /nr / j 


FOREWORD. 

On Tuesday, September 11th, during the 1923 session 
of the Tugalo Baptist Association, the following reso¬ 
lution was passed: 

“BE IT RESOLVED, That Claude Bond, G. C. Stead and 
E. E. Woodson be appointed to examine the manuscript of 
Bro. J. F. Goode’s “History of the Tugalo Baptist Associa¬ 
tion,” and report back to this session the advisability of 
having the same published.” 

On the following day the committee reported that the 
book should be published, if possible, at an early date, 
and the following resolution was unanimously adopted: 

“BE IT RESOLVED, That the committee appointed at 
yesterday’s session of this Association, relative to “Goode’s 
History of the Association,” be continued and empowered to 
solicit the aid of such business men as is necessary to 
finance the proposition.” 

The Tugalo is one of the oldest and largest Associa¬ 
tions in this State. It has a remarkable history, which 
should be preserved. No one is better qualified to write 
this history than Rev. J. F. Goode, who has been ac¬ 
tively engaged in pastoral work throughout the Asso¬ 
ciation during the past half century. He has devoted 
a great deal of time and effort to the preparation of 
this manuscript, and we feel that he has rendered a 
great service to the Association, and made a worthy 
contribution to the Baptist history of the State. We 
heartily commend this book to the brethren, and feel 
confident that it will receive a ready response. 

3 


j 


We have acted in accordance with the foregoing reso¬ 
lutions, and have succeeded in having the book published. 
We feel very grateful to those interested friends whose 
assistance has made its publication possible. 

CLAUDE BOND, 

G. C. STEAD, 

E. E. WOODSON, 

Committee. 

Toccoa, Georgia, 

July 1st, 1924. 


4 


DEDICATION. 

To the Memory of the 

Faithful, Consecrated Pioneer Baptist Preachers, 
Who under great and trying disadvantages, and cir¬ 
cumstances, with little and in many instances no com¬ 
pensation, cheerfully gave themselves to the self-sacri¬ 
ficing work of evangelizing this destitute section, sowing 
the seeds of Gospel truth, and planting the Baptist faith 
throughout this beautiful region of the State, devoting 
their lives and labors to the planting and developing the 
churches, and pushing forward the cause of missions, 
education and other benevolent enterprises fostered by 
the Tugalo Association, of which they were honored 
founders, this book is most lovingly dedicated by 


THE AUTHOR. 














INTRODUCTION OF BAPTIST 
SENTIMENTS INTO THE STATE. 

According to Campbell’s “History of Georgia Bap¬ 
tists,” Daniel Marshall was the first Baptist minister 
to settle in the State, and to him we owe the introduc¬ 
tion of Baptist principles in Georgia. 

He constituted the church at Kiokee, in 1772. This 
was the first Baptist Church ever constituted in Georgia. 
At this time he was the only ordained Baptist minister 
in the State, but besides him, there were several zealous 
licentiates, i.e., Abraham Marshall, Sanders Walker, 
Solomon Thompson and Alexander Scott. By these 
the word of the Lord was proclaimed through all the 
upper country, and the scattered sheep of Christ were 
gathered into the fold from the remotest frontiers. Thus 
the word of the Lord ran and was glorified, believers 
abundantly multiplied, and the church greatly enlarged. 

The Georgia Association was the first organization 
of the kind ever formed in the State, and was com¬ 
posed of the following named churches: Kiokee, Pishing 
Creek, Uptons Creek and Reds Creek. Benedict, in his 
“History of the Baptists,” seems to admit that the 
Association was formed at Kiokee, but Rev. Mr. Sher¬ 
wood, in his “Gazettier of Georgia,” places it at Fishing 
Creek Church. Benedict and Sherwood, however, agree 
that it was constituted in 1784. No other Association 
was constituted in Georgia till 1794, when the Hepzibah 
was organized. Then followed in succession the Sarepta, 
in 1799, the Savannah River, 1802, the Ocmulga, 1810, 
the Ebenezer, 1814, the Piedmont, 1817, and the Tugalo, 

7 


1818. Churches having sprung up in the different settle¬ 
ments (for the State was rapidly being settled up) and 
the distance sometimes traveled and the want of facilities 
to reach the Association, naturally led as the frontiers 
were settled, to the formation of other Associations. 

In recording the historical facts connected with the 
Tugalo Association, we thought it proper to give this 
brief outline of the early settlement of Baptists in 
Georgia, which led to the formation of that body whose 
history is contained in the following pages, divided as 
follows: 

1. From its organization in 1818, to 1838, twenty 
years, Formative Period. 

2. From 1838 to the present, 1923, Rise and Progress 
of Missions. 

3. Historical sketches of the churches. 

4. Biographical sketches. 


8 


PREFACE. 


No attempt has ever before been made to obtain a 
history of the Tugalo Association. As far back as 1880, 
at the Session at Shoal Creek, Dr. T. G. Underwood, Dr. 
A. W. Brawner and Asa Avery were appointed to pre¬ 
pare a history of one church each, and report to the 
next session of the body, which they accordingly did, it 
being the intention at that time to continue this work 
from year to year until a history of each church had been 
written and published in the minutes. This work was 
discontinued after a few years. Had this commendable 
work been carried out, it would have saved the writer 
of these pages an untold amount of labor. 

Having an ardent desire to rescue from oblivion some 
valuable Baptist history, and being the oldest living 
minister belonging to the body, both in age and point 
of service, after conferring with a number of the pastors 
and leading men in the Association, I concluded as far 
as lay in my power, to comply with the request of my 
brethren. That the work would be laborious, delicate 
and responsible, I knew. It has not been my purpose 
in the present work to give anything like a detailed 
account of all the annual proceedings of the Association, 
but I trust enough has been given to preserve the im¬ 
portant historical facts connected with the body. 

Beginning with its organization in 1818, I have traced 
the history of the body through every succeeding session 
to the present (1923), giving the time and place of each 
meeting, with so much of the proceedings as was deemed 
of special importance. I have given in connection with 

9 


the Association a brief historical sketch of each separate 
church now composing the body, together with short 
biographical sketches of deceased ministers, whose lives 
and labors have been devoted to its rise and progress. 
In preparing this work the records have been carefully 
examined and closely followed. For the biographical 
sketches I am indebted to relatives and friends of the 
deceased who have generously contributed. When I 
have used the exact language of another, it has been 
indicated by quotation marks without giving the name 
of the author, which in many instances has not come to 
hand. 

In preparing the historical sketches of the churches I 
have used such data as was obtainable. In many in¬ 
stances the records were so mutilated that it was impos¬ 
sible to give anything like a connected history, and much 
of the records of many of the churches has been de¬ 
stroyed. The Association formerly embraced a large 
part of the territory between Seneca and Tugalo Rivers. 
Many sessions of the body were held at churches em¬ 
braced in that territory. She also embraced all the 
territory of Rabun, Habersham, and what was then 
Franklin, but is now Banks County, and also a portion 
of Hall County, besides the territory which is now Hart 
County and a small portion of Elbert County. The 
Mountain, Clarkesville, Liberty and several churches 
belonging to Chattahoochee Associations in Georgia, and 
the Beaverdam in South Carolina, were composed of 
churches formerly members of the Tugalo. 

I have been accumulating material for the present 
volume for a number of years, much of which would have 
been otherwise lost. Though my success has been by 
no means commensurate with my wishes and efforts, 
yet I trust that my labor has not been entirely in vain. 
If the Christians now on the stage will emulate the 
examples presented for their imitation in the following 
pages, it is confidently believed that they and the world 
will be the better for it. My object from the first has 
been to rescue from oblivion the names and deeds of 

10 


some, at least, who have glorified God by their self- 
sacrificing work and labors of love, a service which was 
freely rendered without compensation. It is also hoped 
that the recital of their trials and sufferings may stimu¬ 
late the living. It is a matter of profound regret that 
the deeds of many of these faithful pioneer fathers will 
never be recorded in human annals, their very names 
having perished from among men, though they are writ¬ 
ten in the Book of Life. 

The present and future generations of the “Tugalo 
Association/’ as well as other Associations of which she 
is the honored mother, should never forget that it is, 
under God, to the wisdom and zeal of the fathers of 
Israel that we owe our present strength and prosperity. 
It is the memory of such men these pages are designed 
to preserve and perpetuate. It is not pretended that 
the following pages are either complete or entirely free 
from error. But it is as complete as patience and careful 
investigation on the part of the author has enabled 
him to make it with the materials he has been able to 
command, and if there are errors, they are believed to 
be immaterial. 

That this brief history may prove interesting, sug¬ 
gestive and profitable to the reader is my sincere and 
earnest prayer. 

J. F. GOODE. 

Toccoa, Georgia. 


11 


















The Formative Period 
TUGALO ASSOCIATION FORMED 

On the 12th day of September, 1818, delegates from 
the following named churches met at Poplar Springs 
Church, in Franklin County, and after a sermon by 
Isam Goss, elected Dozier Thornton, Moderator, and 
Isam Goss, Clerk. They then proceeded to effect a 
permanent organization, by enrolling the names of the 
delegates who were present, with letters showing their 
appointment by their respective churches. 

Church County Delegates 

1. Chauga .Pendleton, S. C.Wm. Shed, 

David Barton 

2. Double Branches.Franklin County, Ga..C. Donahoo, 

J. Attaway 

3. Eastanollee .Franklin County, Ga..Abel White, 

J. Stonecypher 

4. Nails Creek.Franklin County, Ga..E. Harber, 

Z. Chandler 

5. Line Church.Franklin County, Ga..L. Meeks, 

J. Holcomb 

6. Leatherwood .... Franklin County, Ga.. Stephen Poe, 

Geo. Deavors 

7. Hunters Creek...Franklin County, Ga..F. Calloway, Sr., 

G. Thomason 

8. Poplar Springs ..Franklin County, Ga..F. Calloway, Jr., 

Joe Chandler 

9. Liberty.Pendleton, S. C.Joe Williams, 

Jesse Dobbs 

10. Tugalo Eiver-Franklin County, Ga..Thos. Gilbert, 

John Cleveland 

11. Beaverdam .Pendleton, S. C.Geo. Vandiver, 

Sam Earle 











12. Henrys.Elbert County, Ga.Tyre Landers, 

Wiley Childers 

13. Perkins Creek ...Pendleton, S. C.Robt. Pastwood, 

J. Barrott 

Contributions amounted to $43.50. Total member¬ 
ship, 671. After organization and enrollment of the 
names of delegates, the Association then elected George 
Vandiver, Moderator, and Burrell Whitehead, Clerk. 
Also, at that time and place, the newly organized body 
was given the name of the Tugalo Baptist Association, 
which title it has ever since borne, and honored. At 
this meeting a constitution, abstract of principles, and 
rules of decorum were adopted, by which with slight 
amendments made from time to time, the Association 
is still governed. An excerpt from the minutes of this 
meeting says: 

Littleton Meeks, Isam Goss, and Dozier Thornton were ap¬ 
pointed to preach on the Lord’s Day; they preached accordingly, 
with some favorable appearances. 

Burrell Whitehead, Cleric. George Vandiver, Moderator. 


ABSTRACT OF PRINCIPLES 


1. We believe in one only true and living God, and that there 

are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, Son and the 
Holy Ghost. 

2. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testa¬ 

ment are the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and 
practice. 

3. We believe in the doctrine of eternal particular election. 

4. We believe in the doctrine of original sin. 

5. We believe in man’s impotency to recover himself from the 

fallen state he is in, by nature, by his own free will and 
ability. 

6. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God only 

by the imputed righteousness of Christ. 

7. We believe that God’s elect shall be called, converted, regen¬ 

erated and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

8. We believe that the saints shall persevere in grace and never 

fall finally away. 

9. We believe that baptism and the Lord’s supper are ordinances 

of Jesus Christ, and that true believers are the subjects 

14 





of these ordinances, and we believe that the true mode of 
baptism is by immersion. 

10. We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and a general 

judgment. 

11. We believe the punishment of the wicked will be everlasting, 

and the joys of the righteous will be eternal. 

12. We believe that no ministers have a right to the administra¬ 

tion of the ordinance only such as are regularly called and 
come under the imposition of hands by a Presbytery. 


CONSTITUTION OF THE TUGALO 
ASSOCIATION UNITED IN AN 
ASSOCIATE CAPACITY 

We, the United Baptist Churches of Christ in Georgia and 
South Carolina, east and west of Tugalo River, having been regu¬ 
larly baptized upon a profession of our faith in Christ, are 
convinced of the necessity of a combination of churches in order 
to perpetuate a union amongst us and preserve and maintain a 
correspondence with each other in our union. 

We, therefore, purpose to maintain and keep the order and 
rules of an Association according to the following plans: 

Article 1st. The Association shall be composed of members 
chosen by the different churches in our union, who, on producing 
letters from their respective churches certifying their appoint¬ 
ment, shall be entitled to a seat. 

2nd. The members thus chosen and convened shall be known 
by the name of the Tugalo Baptist Association, who shall have 
no coercive power to Lord it over God’s heritage or to infringe 
on any of the internal rights of the churches in union, but shall 
only be considered as an advisory council in all matters respecting 
internal concerns. Nevertheless, it becomes necessary to attend 
to some uniform rules of proceedings in order to maintain our 
union and Christian fellowship amongst ourselves: viz., When an 
offence may be committed by one church against another, that it 
shall be the duty of the church to labor with the offender for 
satisfaction, and if she fails of success she shall call in the aid 
of two or more churches in union to assist in the labors, and if 
finally satisfaction (in the opinion of the helps called in), cannot 
be obtained, then the aggrieved church may bring the case before 
the Association, who are bound to act upon it, and also, when a 
serious difference may arise in an individual church, which they, 
themselves (after all due labors had), cannot reconcile, they 
shall call in the aid of two or more sister churches in the union 
to assist in the work, and if finally satisfaction (in the opinion 

15 


of the helps called in), is not obtained, the case may then be 
brought before the Association, who shall act on it, and further 
to illustrate the mode of proceeding in the above cases, reference 
shall be had to the 18th chapter of the Gospel by Matthew, and 
other scriptures which respect discipline for the bringing to trial 
and determining on the case of an individual member in an indi¬ 
vidual church, and the Association will take cognizance of no case 
of the above kind unless the above proceedings have been previ¬ 
ously had thereon. 

3rd. The letters from the different churches shall express their 
members in fellowship, those baptized, received by letter, dis¬ 
missed, excommunicated and dead since our last Association, which 
shall be read and the messengers’ names enrolled. 

4th. Every church in the union shall be entitled to a representa¬ 
tion of two members and we advise no more. 

5th. Churches may be admitted into this union who shall peti¬ 
tion by letter and messengers, and upon examination (if found 
orthodox and orderly), shall be received by the Association and 
manifested by the Moderator giving the right hand. 

6th. The Association, when convened, shall be governed by a 
regular and proper decorum, which they are authorized to form 
for themselves. 

7th. The Association shall appoint a Moderator and Clerk from 
among themselves for the time being, whose duty it shall be to 
see that the rules of decorum are attended to, to take the opinion 
of the Association on all questions properly brought before it. 

8th. The Association shall have power to exclude any church 
from this union, who shall deviate from the orthodox principles 
of the Gospel. 

9th. The Association shall endeavor to furnish the churches 
with the minutes of their proceedings. 

10th. Every query sent by a church who has labored on it and 
division taken place, shall be taken up by the Association and not 
otherwise. 

11th. Any church in our union, having a member possessed of 
preaching talents, and who is a candidate for the ministry, whom 
she deems worthy of credentials, shall call a Presbytery of mem¬ 
bers of our union to officiate, and said Presbytery shall in all 
cases of ordination, both as ministers and deacons or constitutors 
of churches, be regulated by the Gospel of Christ. 

12th. The Association shall not adjourn until they have gone 
through the business, except in extraordinary cases. 

13th. The minutes of the Association shall be read and cor¬ 
rected (if need be), and signed by the Moderator and attested by 
the Clerk before the Association rises. 

14th. The Association shall in all cases be governed by a ma¬ 
jority of the members present. 

15th. Amendments to this plan or form of government may be 
made at any time, when a majority of the Association may deem 
it necessary. 


16 


RULES OF DECORUM 


1st. The Association shall be opened and closed by prayer. 

2nd. A Moderator and Clerk shall be chosen by the suffrages 
of the members present. 

3rd. The Moderator shall be deemed a Judge of Order and 
shall have a right to call to order at any time. 

4th. Any member not satisfied with his decision on any point 
of order may appeal to the Association on the same day, but on 
no other time. 

5th. But one person shall speak at a time, and he shall rise 
to his feet and on obtaining leave shall proceed. 

# 6th. The Moderator, when addressed for leave of speech, shall 
signify the same by the naming of them or otherwise. 

7th. No member shall be interrupted while speaking unless 
he depart from the subject in hand or use words of personal re¬ 
flection, and every motion made and seconded shall come under 
the consideration of the Association, unless it be withdrawn by 
him who made it. 

8th. Every ease taken up by the Association shall be first de¬ 
cided on or withdrawn before another is offered. 

9th. When anything is taken up the Association after allowing 
time for the debate, the Moderator shall take the question, and 
those in favor of the thing proposed shall rise to their feet, and 
those against it shall keep their seats. 

10th. The Moderator shall pronounce the decision before the 
standers take their seats. 

11th. No person shall depart the service of the Association 
without leave. 

12th. The appellation of Brother shall be used in our address 
to one another. 

13th. The names of the members shall be called as often as 
the Association may direct. 

14th. No member shall be allowed in any practice that has a 
tendency to interrupt in time of a public speech. 

15th. The Moderator shall be entitled to the same privilege of 
speech as any other member, provided he appoint some other 
member to the seat while he is speaking, but shall not vote unless 
the Association be equally divided. 

16th. Any person breaking this decorum shall be reproved at 
the discretion of the Association, but only on the day the breach 
is made. 

The next meeting of the Association was held with 
the church at Eastanollee, then Franklin (now Stephens 
County), Georgia, on Saturday before the third Sunday 
in September, 1819. The introductory sermon was 
preached by R. Pastwood, from John 10:9, “I am the 

17 


door; by me, if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and 
shall go in and out and find pasture.” 

We find George Vandiver was re-elected Moderator, 
but James R. Wyly was chosen Clerk. At this meeting 
fifteen churches were enrolled, representing a total 
membership of 718. The minutes give no information 
whatever as to the number of ordained ministers. George 
Vandiver, Littleton Meeks, R. Pastwood, Francis Cal¬ 
loway, Sr., Francis Calloway, Jr., and Isaiah Harber 
were evidently ordained Ministers and actively engaged 
in promoting the cause of Christ, as will appear more 
fully in subsequent portions of this history. It is 
worthy of notice that Adiel Sherwood, D.D., attended 
this session and preached on the Sabbath at 11 o’clock, 
a. m. Contributions from the Churches at this session 
amounted to $33.18%, which together with balance on 
hand makes $41.18%. 

A casual view would lead to the conclusion that no 
business of special importance was transacted at this 
meeting. However, we notice that correspondents were 
appointed to sister Associations. A circular letter had 
been prepared, and was read and ordered printed in 
the minutes, and doubtless on the Sabbath Dr. Sher¬ 
wood, author of ‘‘Sherwood’s Notes on the Prophecies,” 
and who is given honorable mention in Campbell’s 
“History of Georgia Baptists,” delivered a message 
which thrilled the souls of his audience. They were 
laying a good foundation against the time to come, 
for they were making possible the more extensive work 
in which we are today engaged. 

The third annual session of the body was held with 
Hunters Creek Church on the Saturday before the 
third Sabbath in September, 1820. The introductory 
sermon was preached by George Vandiver, from Colos- 
sians 1:28: “ Whom we preach warning all men. ’ ’ 

George Vandiver was again chosen Moderator, and Ben¬ 
jamin Cleveland was elected Clerk. Wahoo Creek 
Church, in Hall County, was received as a member at 
this session. Corresponding letters were received and 
read from three Associations, viz.: Saluda, Georgia and 

18 


Sarepta. Three sermons were preached on Sunday by 
the following: Bennett, Davis and Matthews. 

Contributions from the churches for this year were 
$30.68%. The Clerk was instructed to superintend 
the printing and distribution of the minutes, and was 
allowed $10.00 for his services. The Association at 
this session numbered 17 churches, with a total mem¬ 
bership of 641, which shows a decrease in membership 
in one year when she only numbered 15 churches of 77 
members. The Church at Beaver Dam sent in the fol¬ 
lowing query: 

Query —“What shall we do with a person who applies to us 
for fellowship who has been baptized on the profession of their 
faith, dipped three times face foremost?” 

Answered as follows: “We believe such baptisms not valid, 
therefore we advise the churches not to receive such persons on 
such baptism .’’ [He must have been a Dunkard.— Author.] 

It appears that the following was their order of busi¬ 
ness in those days: 

Meet on Saturday, and after the introductory sermon, 
1. Enroll names of delegates; 2. Elect Moderator and 
Clerk; 3. Offer opportunity to churches wishing to unite 
with the Association; 4. Receive messengers from cor¬ 
responding Associations; 5. Appoint correspondents to 
other Associations; 6. Appoint committee to arrange 
preaching service for Sunday. 

After the preaching committee made its report, the 
business of the body was adjourned to Monday, when 
the delegates returned and on Monday took up and com¬ 
pleted the work on Monday and Tuesday. 

The fourth annual session of the body was held in 
July, 1821, at Double Branches Church, Franklin 
County, Georgia, five miles southeast of Carnesville. 
The introductory sermon was preached by Littleton 
Meeks, from Hebrews 1:1-2. At this session Littleton 
Meeks was chosen Moderator, and Benjamin Cleveland 
was re-elected Clerk. The churches at Mud Creek, in 
Habersham County, Georgia; Seneca River, in Pendle¬ 
ton, S. C., and Dewberry, in Hall County, Georgia, were 
received into the union at this time. Jesse Mercer, D.D., 
19 


and-Hillman were present as correspondents from 

the Georgia Association. From Sarepta, Milner and 
Bledsoe, each of these brethren presented a letter show¬ 
ing their appointment and presented minutes of their 
respective Associations. It appears that for many years 
the only business transacted on Saturday was preaching 
the introductory sermon, reading letters from the 
churches, enrolling the names of delegates, electing 
officers, and appointing a committee to arrange preach¬ 
ing for Sunday. The business of the body was then 
adjourned over to Monday. 

The Committee on Preaching reported the following 
order for Sunday, beginning at 10 a. m. : Bledsoe, first; 
Hillman, second; Mercer, third, and Davis to conclude. 
Sunday being a rainy day, Bledsoe alone occupied the 
stand. On Monday, however, the record shows that 
Hillman, Mercer and Davis all preached to a large and 
attentive audience. On Monday the circular letter pre¬ 
pared by Stephen White was read, adopted, and ordered 
printed in the minutes. In this letter the author ‘‘de¬ 
plores the destitution in the frontier parts of the Asso¬ 
ciation, ’ ’ and insists that ministers of this body arrange 
to visit those destitute parts, and to request the ministers 
of other associations to take the same under considera¬ 
tion. Appointed correspondents to the Saluda, Sarepta 
and Georgia Associations. The body at this time was 
composed of 18 churches, with a total membership of 
804, and it was decided to appoint a committee, con¬ 
sisting of Sandford Vandiver, Stephen White, and Lit¬ 
tleton Meeks, to divide the Association into not less 
than three nor more than four union meeting districts; 
and that they make their report at the next session of 
this body. At that time general meetings were ap¬ 
pointed as follows: At Nails Creek Church, in Franklin 
County; at Currahee Church, in Habersham County, 
and Liberty, in Hall County, care being taken that they 
should be so arranged as not to conflict with each other. 

Contributions for all purposes amounted to $33,811/4. 

The fifth session of the body was held at the Line 
Church, in Habersham (now Banks) County, on the 
20 



14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th of September, 1822. This 
church is situated about seven miles southeast of Cor¬ 
nelia, Georgia, and is still doing good work under the 
administration of Rev. S. E. Macomson, the present 
efficient pastor. The introductory sermon was preached 
by Francis Calloway, from Genesis 45:24. Letters were 
read from twenty-two churches. Littleton Meeks was 
continued as Moderator, and Hiram R. Skelton was 
elected Clerk. After reading the constitution and rules 
of decorum, three churches, viz.: Bethlehem and Nauchee, 
in Habersham, and Liberty, in Hall County, applied for 
membership and were received. The following brethren 
were present as Messengers, viz.: from the Hepzibah, 
C. Bateman and E. Perryman; from the Sarepta, R. 

Thornton and- Jones; from the Saluda, D. Quales 

and Sandford Vandiver. 

Resolved, That the method of visiting of letter correspondence 
be by a committee, and appointed Brethren Candidge, Posey, 
Chandler, White and Earle, committee. 

The journal says: 

On Sunday, Sandford Vandiver, Humphrey, Posey, and M. 
Reaves, preached to large audiences, and we hope the Word had 
a good effect on the people. 

The Church at Mud Creek sent the following query: 

When a presbytery of three ministers are called to ordain a 
minister, shall two of them perform ordination when the third 
refuses to act, or does not attend? Answer, We think two or¬ 
dained ministers may form a presbytery, but in case of three 
attending, they should all concur. 

Timber Ridge Church put the body on notice that one 
William B. A. Wallis was an excluded member from 
that church, and had refused to return his certificate of 
ordination to the church. The committee appointed at 
last session to divide the Association into union meet¬ 
ing districts, reported as follows: All the churches in 
the territory between Seneca and Tugalo Rivers form 
the first district. All that part which lies southeast of 
Hawkins old line form the second. (Hawkins old line 
21 



was the line at that time between Franklin and Haber¬ 
sham Counties. The line referred to is what was for¬ 
merly known as the old line road, running by Damascus 
Church, crossing Middle River at Ragsdales Bridge, on 
by Tates Creek Church, crossing Leatherwood Creek, 
thence along the ridge and intersecting with the Red 
Hollow Road near the Green ford on Broad River.) 
All northwest from the line described includes the 
churches in Habersham, Rabun, and Hall Counties. 

That the reader of these pages get a better knowledge 
of the territory embraced by the Association at the date 
mentioned, we here give the name and location, county 
and state, in which they were located: 

First District—Pendleton, S. C., Conneross; Pendleton, S. C., 
Liberty; Pendleton, S. C., Perkins Creek; Pendleton, S. C., 
Chauga; Pendleton, S. C., Beaverdam; Pendleton, S. C., Seneca 
River. 

Second District—Elbert County, Ga., Henrys; Franklin County, 
Ga., Eastanollee; Franklin County, Ga., Poplar Springs; Franklin 
County, Ga., Tugalo River; Franklin County, Ga., Middle River; - 
Franklin County, Ga., Hunters Creek; Franklin County, Ga., 
Double Branches. 

Third District—Habersham County, Ga., Mud Creek; Haber¬ 
sham County, Ga., Leatherwood; Habersham County, Ga., Line; 
Habersham County, Ga., Bethlehem; Habersham County, Ga., Na- 
coochee; Hall County, Ga., Wahoo; Hall County, Ga., Dewberry; 
Hall County, Ga., Timber Ridge; Hall County, Ga., Liberty; 
Rabun County, Ga., Stekoe. 


The Association was bounded at this time (1822) on 
the east by Seneca River, on the west by Chattahoochee 
River, on the north by North Carolina, and on the 
south by the lower line of Franklin County. One 
church, Henrys, being across the line in then Elbert, 
now Hart, County, Georgia. 

The next year the Association met at Chauga, Pendle¬ 
ton District, South Carolina, September 18th, 1823. 
Elected L. Meeks, Moderator, and William Ledbetter, 
Clerk. 

Received into the body at this session Yellow Creek, 
a newly-constituted church in Hall County, and enrolled 
names of her delegates. Received correspondents from 

22 


the Saluda, Sarepta and Georgia Associations, in Georgia, 
and French Broad, in North Carolina. Also received 
a package of minutes from the General Association of 
Georgia by the hand of Jesse Mercer, D.D., “and not¬ 
withstanding our high regard for that body, yet we see 
no necessity for a General Association ’ ’; appointed cor¬ 
respondents also to the above-named Associations, the 
General Association of Georgia excepted. Judging from 
what we have already seen of previous meetings, the 
main object of the Association at that time was to 
preach the gospel and “strengthen the churches in the 
faith. ’’ 

During this period the reins of discipline were held 
with a firm and steady grasp in all the churches, while 
the Association watched her doors with a jealous eye, 
examining carefully the minutes, letters, and credentials 
of all corresponding Associations and messengers, 
lest she be imposed upon by “A wolf in sheep’s 
clothing.” 

At the same time her ‘ 1 motto ’ ’ was harmony and good¬ 
will among all Ike churches and all the brethren, send¬ 
ing conciliatory counsels to restore peace and friendship 
wherever a disruption had occurred between churches 
or brethren. It appears that at each annual meeting 
they read the constitution and rules of decorum. 

The Association now numbered 23 churches and ten 
ordained ministers. On the Sabbath, Adam (a man of 
color), Posey and Mercer, occupied the stand, and 
preached with seeming favorable results. 

The next meeting of the body was held at Henrys 
Church, Elbert County, Georgia, September 18th, 1824. 
The introductory sermon was preached by Stephen 
White, from Hebrews 13:1: “Let brotherly love con¬ 
tinue.” We quote a few of these old texts, simply to 
show the burden of thought in that day. 

Littleton Meeks was again chosen Moderator, and Wil¬ 
liam Ledbetter, Clerk. Tesantee and Mossy Creek, two 
newly-constituted churches in Habersham County, were 
received at this session; also received the church at 
Holly Springs, in Elbert County, from the Sarepta Asso- 
23 


ciation, by letter. Correspondents with letters and min¬ 
utes were received from the Georgia, Adiel Sherwood, 
D.D., and Jesse Mercer, D.D., from the Saluda, Sandford 
Vandiver and J. Burress, from the Sarepta, Thornton 
and Dillard from the French Broad, Humphrey, Posey 

and-Kimsey, Meeks, Calloway, Ledbetter, White and 

Chandler were appointed to arrange order of business 
for the present session and to write corresponding let¬ 
ters. Sherwood, Posey and Mercer occupied the platform 
on Sunday and preached to an immense multitude. A 
letter and report was read from the General Association 
of the United States, and a resolution was passed cor¬ 
dially recommending the patronage by the church of 
Latter Day Luminary , and the Columbian Star, pub¬ 
lished at Washington, D. C., edited and published by 
John S. Meecham. 

Again refused to correspond with the General Asso¬ 
ciation of Georgia. All the churches were requested to 
observe July 4th, by holding religious service at their 
respective places of worship. (How different from the 
way the day is now observed!) William Ledbetter, 
who was appointed at last session, read the circular 
letter which was adopted. None of these letters pre¬ 
pared and read from year to year appear in the minutes. 

Tuesday appears to have been spent in considering 
and answering the following queries: 


“What is to be done with a preacher who declares himself to be 
a separate Baptist, and has no fellowship with those who hold the 
doctrine of election?” Answer: “A minister making a public 
declaration of such principles should be dealt with according to 
the Gospel, and should he not give satisfaction, excluded. ’ 1 
“What will a church do when they choose a preacher who they 
deem in good order, but find him to the reverse?” Answer: 
“Put such an one from among you, if the church can procure 
gospel evidence of his disorder.” “What shall we do when a 
minister is guilty of gross immorality, and stands indicted for 
an assault with intent to murder, and still remains in fellowship 
in the church to which he belongs, or sent to sit in the Associa¬ 
tion?” Answer: “We think such a minister is not in order 
to preach, for they that bear the vessels of the Lord should keep 
clean hands, and we think such churches in error to send such 
ministers to sit in the Association.” 

24 



Recommended that Saturday before the fourth Sun¬ 
day in March be observed as a day of fasting and prayer. 
The minutes close with statement that brotherly love 
has prevailed throughout the entire association. 

The Association at this session had a total membership 
of 991. Three sermons were preached on Sunday, one 
each by Sherwood, Mercer and Posey. 

The next annual session of the body was held at 
Yellow Creek Church, in Hall County, Georgia, con¬ 
vening on the 17th day of September, 1825, and con¬ 
tinuing four days. 

After the introductory sermon by George Vandiver, 
from Ephesians 5:1, read the letters and enrolled the 
names of delegates from the churches, elected George 
Vandiver, Moderator; William Ledbetter was continued 
as Clerk. The churches at Clarks Creek, in Franklin 
County, and Providence, in Habersham County, newly- 
constituted churches, were received into the body at this 
time. Received and appointed correspondents to the 
French Broad, Sarepta and Georgia Associations. Ap¬ 
pointed Walker, Gray, Posey and Thornton to preach 
on the Sabbath. The minutes state that 

We are at a loss to describe the feelings further than to say 
that the congregation was mostly bathed in silent tears and re¬ 
joicing by almost all the brethren. 

A motion was again made to correspond with the 
General Association of Georgia, but a majority was not 
favorable. Dismissed the churches at Yellow Creek, 
Tesantee, Mossy Creek, Wahoo and Dewberry, to form 
a new Association. (Presumably the Chattahoochee.) 

Notice was given to the body at this time that Benton 
Stark was excluded from the church at Tugalo River 
on the 2nd day of September, 1825, and has been preach¬ 
ing in disorder. Appointed a committee consisting of 
Meeks, Calloway, Crocker and Ledbetter to draw up a 
uniform rule of discipline for the churches, and report 
at next Association. 

Appointed union meetings as follows: Double 
Branches, Franklin County, Friday before the third 
25 


Sunday in July; at Bethlehem Church, Habersham 
County, on Friday before first Sunday in August; at 
Perkins Creek, Pendleton, S. C., on Friday before the 
fifth Sunday in August. 

The ninth annual session of the body met at Beaver- 
dam Church, Pendleton District, South Carolina, on 
Saturday before the third Sabbath in September, 1826. 

Introductory sermon by Peter Kuykendall, from Acts 
17:23. After reading the letters and enrolling the 
names of delegates, elected Littleton Meeks, Moderator, 
and John Crocker, Clerk. Received correspondents with 
letters and minutes from the following Associations: 
French Broad, H. Posey; Sarepta, R. Thornton and 

- Brown from the Saluda, S. Vandiver and - 

McGee, Chattahoochee, Bro. Obar, Georgia, Jesse Mercer 
from the Yellow River, Colly and Still. 

The committee on preaching announced the stand 
would be occupied on Sunday by the following brethren, 
in the order of their names: S. Vandiver, J. Colly, 
Jesse Mercer, and H. Posey. Adjourned till Monday, 
9 a. m. Speaking of the Sunday service, the Clerk states 
that earnest attention and deep interest was manifested 
by the great body of hearers, and it is believed that 
the word preached was seed sown in good ground, 
which shall produce an abundant harvest of precious 
souls. 

The committee appointed at last session to draw up 
a uniform rule of discipline for the churches presented 
their rules but they were not adopted. A query was 
sent up from the French Broad Association, N. C., as 
follows: 

“ Shall we baptize persons who have been once baptized in 
gospel order on their professing to have been deceived, but now 
that they have obtained religion?’’ 

Answered in the negative. The circular letter was 
read and approved and Bro. Dawson appointed to write 
the next. 

Appointed union meetings as follows: At Middle 
River, on Friday before the fifth Sunday in July; at 
26 



Mud Creek on Friday before the third Sunday in July; 
at Conneross the Friday before the third Sunday in 
August. 

The death of old Father Cleveland is mentioned in 
very touching language, with the statement that he had 
been a minister for fifty years, and was eighty-seven 
years of age at the time of his death. How unfortunate 
it is that the Baptists of today have no means of know¬ 
ing of the life and work, privations and hardships 
through which the pioneer preachers of one hundred 
years ago were called to pass. 

The Association at this meeting was composed of 23 
churches, 88 members having been received by baptism 
since last Association. Seventeen members had been 
excluded, and the total membership was 1105 persons. 

In 1827, the Association convened again at Hunters 
Creek. Twenty-two churches were represented. Intro¬ 
ductory sermon by Robert McMinn. After reading let¬ 
ters from the churches and enrolling the names of dele¬ 
gates, elected Francis Calloway, Moderator, and Thomas 
Dawson, Clerk. Received correspondents from the 
Georgia, Sarepta, Yellow River and Saluda Associa¬ 
tions; also appointed correspondents to same. As was 
customary, on Sunday immense crowds gathered and 
four sermons were preached. On Monday the circular 
letter was read and adopted. At this meeting the 
Sunday school is mentioned for the first time, in the 
form of the following query: 

“Would it not be better for children to be assembled together 
in Sunday Schools on the Lord’s Day?” Answer: “We think it 
would be better, and recommend that the churches encourage Sun¬ 
day Schools among them on every Sunday meeting. , 1 

The eleventh annual session of the body met at Beth¬ 
lehem Church, Habersham County, Georgia, September 
20th, 1828. After the introductory sermon by L. Meeks, 
received letters and enrolled names of delegates from 
the churches. Elected George Vandiver, Moderator, and 
John Crocker, Clerk. Correspondence received from 
sister Associations, also correspondents appointed. Ap- 
27 


pointed the next meeting at Conneross Church, Pendle¬ 
ton, S. C. The church at Shoal Creek inquires: 

“If it would hurt the feelings of the Association if they were 
to admit to the privileges of the church a man who had been 
baptised by the Dunkard .” Answer: “We think it a bad 
precedent. * ’ 

The church at Double Branches wants to know 

“What method a church should pursue in restoring a minister 
after being excluded and his credentials taken from him? ,, An¬ 
swered as follows: “We recommend that the same authority be 
called to his restoration to the ministry as was had in his ordi¬ 
nation. , 1 


Appointed Friday before the third Sunday in April 
next, as the day of humiliation, fasting and prayer. 
Advertised one Abner Jordan as an excluded member 
from Holly Springs Church, in Elbert County, and 
unworthy of membership in any church of our order. 
Adjourned. 

George Vandiver, Moderator. 

John Crocker, Clerk. 

The twelfth annual session was held with the Church 
at Conneross, Pickens District, S. C., September 21st, 
1829. After the introductory sermon by Henry David, 
from Isaiah 40:11, the Association was duly organized 
by reading letters from the churches and enrolling the 
names of delegates. Elected Littleton Meeks, Moderator, 
and Henry F. Chandler, Clerk. Opened a door for 
the reception of churches, and received Mineral Springs, 
Franklin County, Georgia; Holly Springs, Pickens Dis¬ 
trict, S. C.; Antioch, Habersham County, Georgia; Tim¬ 
mons Creek, Habersham County, Georgia, and seated 
their delegates. Bennett, Hymer, Posey and Pearson 
occupied the pulpit on Sunday, and the record states 
that “a large multitude appeared solemn and serious.” 
After reading the decorum, four ministers of the body 
were asked to volunteer their services to ride and preach, 
each three months, and visit the different churches and 
destitute places in the bounds of the Association. James 
28 


R. Smith, Lewis Ballard, John Bramlett and Samuel 
Hymer offered their services. 

The thirteenth meeting of the body convened at New 
Liberty Church, Habersham County, Georgia, Septem¬ 
ber 18th, 1830. Introductory sermon by John Bramlett, 
from 1st Corinthians, 13:3. Elected Samuel Hymer, 
Moderator, H. F. Chandler, Clerk. As was customary on 
Sunday, vast multitudes were preached to by S. Vandi¬ 
ver, J. Colly, J. P. Marshall and H. Posey, with seem¬ 
ingly good effect. 

The four brethren who volunteered at last session to 
travel and preach in the bounds of the Association, 
made their report, and after deliberating on the subject, 
agreed to discontinue said appointments for the present. 
A committee on finance was appointed at this session, 
consisting of Cattett and Holcomb. Appointed corre¬ 
sponding messengers to sister Associations. After read¬ 
ing the constitution and rules of decorum, adjourned. 

Samuel Hymer, Moderator. 

H. F. Chandler, Clerk. 

In those days distance never interfered with what the 
brethren considered a Christian duty. 

The next and fourteenth session of the body was held 
in 1831, at Stekoah Church, in Rabun County, Ga. After 
the introductory sermon by Samuel Hymer, from Mat¬ 
thew 6:10, “Thy Kingdom come,” read letters and en¬ 
rolled names of delegates from thirty-one churches. 
Continued Samuel Hymer as Moderator, and Henry F. 
Chandler, Clerk. Received Chickeroc and Salem 
Churches as members, and enrolled the names of their 
delegates. The stand was occupied on Sunday by Reeves, 
Matthews and Marshall. 

We here find a statement as follows: 

We concur with the Chattahoochee, and Twelve-Mile Eiver Asso¬ 
ciations, in warning the churches against Jesse Denson, a disor¬ 
derly preacher, who calls himself a Baptist; and Bartimeus Rey¬ 
nolds, who has been excluded, but refuses to give up his creden¬ 
tials. Also Cornelius Gibbs, who attempts to pass under the 
patronage of the Baptists, believed to be an imposter. 

29 



As to the call to the ministry we find the following 
advice given at this session: 

When you have any male member, who seems to possess a gift 
promising usefulness, let the church encourage its use in prayer 
and exhortation, and if after some time improvement is made, 
and there appears an aptness to teach, the approbation of the 
church might be expressed by a vote, and the individual be re¬ 
quested to preach often within the bounds of the church, and in 
adjacent sister churches when invited; and should the opinion 
appear to be strengthened that the Lord desires the person to be 
a public teacher, let a day be appointed and helps called, con¬ 
sisting of ministers and lay members of experience and good 
standing, from adjacent sister churches, on which day his call, 
qualifications, moral character, etc., should be particularly in¬ 
quired into; and if satisfactory evidence be obtained on all those 
points, he may be licensed to preach wherever his lot may be cast. 

The finance committee reported a total of $137.07 on 
hand at this time. The Clerk was instructed to have 
printed and distributed one thousand copies of the 
minutes, for which he was to receive $10.00. 

The next annual meeting of the body was held at 
Hepzibah Church, Anderson District, S. C., September 
15th, 1832. Joseph Byers preached the introductory 
sermon from Romans 6:23. Henry David was elected 
Moderator, and Henry F. Chandler was continued as 
Clerk. The corresponding messengers present this year 
were as follows: From the Georgia, Davis and Mercer; 
from the Tucaseege, Still and Posey; from the Twelve- 
Mile, Bro. Lewis; from the Saluda, Taylor, Hutchins 
and Vandiver; Chattahoochee, Bro. Adams. A resolu¬ 
tion was passed at this session to correspond with the 
Georgia Baptist Convention, and appointed as messen¬ 
gers Dawson, Hymer, Sloan, Byers and Vandiver. 
Granted letters of admission to Antioch, Bethlehem, 
Chechero, Mud Creek, Nacoochee, Providence, Stekoah, 
Salem, Timmons Creek and Tigertail. The Sabbath 
was spent as usual in preaching. Humphrey, Posey, 
Jesse Mercer and Jonathan Davis occupied the stand. 

After all expenses had been paid the finance committee 
reported a balance of $35.46, and the Clerk was in¬ 
structed to refund to the ten churches dismissed their 
proportional part of the surplus funds on hand. 

30 


In 1833 the body convened with Middle River Church, 
Franklin County, Georgia, September 14th. Introduc¬ 
tory sermon by Lewis Ballard. Read letters and en¬ 
rolled names of delegates. Elected Henry David, Mod¬ 
erator, and Thomas Dawson, Clerk. Received and ap¬ 
pointed correspondents to sister Associations. Considered 
a number of queries of no great importance, and called 
the attention of the body to the death of George Vandi¬ 
ver, who had served as Moderator of the body for 
several terms. 

The most important action of the body was its 
recommendation that Sunday schools be established in 
every neighborhood where it can be attended to in 
connection with the American Sunday School Union. 
We must bear in mind that the churches were 
then many miles apart, roads were bad, and fa¬ 
cilities for traveling at that time were not what they are 
today. 

During these years the meetings of the Association 
were more taken up with preaching than business. More 
social in their character than executive. Sunday was 
always the great day of the feast, being given entirely 
to the preaching of the Word, and prayer. 

The next and seventeenth annual session of the body 
was held at Perkins Creek Church, Pickens District, 
S. C., September 20th, 1834. Samuel Hymer was elected 
Moderator, and Thomas Dawson, Clerk. Received and 
appointed correspondents to sister Associations. The 
time of the session was largely occupied with the corre¬ 
spondence of the various associations. 

The eighteenth annual meeting of the body was held 
with the church at Shoal Creek, Franklin County, 
Georgia, September 19, 1835. Lewis Ballard was elected 
Moderator and H. F. Chandler, Clerk. John A. Davis 
was appointed to preach the next introductory sermon. 
Committee on preaching announced that S. Vandiver, 
Calloway and Posey would preach on Sunday, com¬ 
mencing at ten o’clock, a. m. On Monday a resolution 
was adopted recommending the prayerful reading of 
the scriptures, and that masters are requested to read 
31 


them to their servants and to encourage the attendance 
of their servants at the preaching service on week 
days and especially on the Sabbath. Requested the 
Union meeting Districts to appoint the place for 
their meetings, and let the Association appoint the time 
in order that their meetings may be published in the 
minutes. 

The propriety of establishing a manual labor school 
in the bounds of the Association was considered, and 
a resolution was passed that Cobb, Smith and Thompson 
be sent as messengers to Franklin, N. C., to meet and 
confer with other brethren on the subject and adopt 
some measure to bring it into execution. This is the 
first and last and all that is said about the manual labor 
school. 

At this time they acknowledged their backwardness 
in supporting their pastors. The churches were advised 
to pay their pastors; that they may give their whole 
time to the ministry. The churches were requested to 
send a minute of the day and date of their organiza¬ 
tion. Had this request been complied with, it would 
have saved the writer of these pages an untold amount 
of labor. Appointed the next meeting of the body at 
Beaverdam Church, Franklin County, Georgia. Ad¬ 
journed. 

The nineteenth annual meeting of the body met at 
Beaverdam Church, Franklin County, Georgia, Friday, 
September 16th, 1836. After introductory sermon by 
John A. Davis, enrolled the names of delegates and 
elected Humphrey Posey, Moderator, and H. F. Chand¬ 
ler, Clerk. 

The only business of any importance transacted at 
this session was a pledge upon the part of the churches 
to support their pastors, and statement in addition to 
their pledge, that they '‘are not in favor of supporting 
domestic missions at present.” However, a small amount 
was sent up by the minority for that purpose; but the 
body advised that it be returned to the churches from 
whence it came. Following this action, a resolution was 
passed that hereafter at this Association a charity sermon 
32 


be preached on the Sabbath, and a collection taken for 
benevolent purposes. Adjourned. 

Humphrey Posey, Moderator. 

H. F. Chandler, Clerk. 

The twentieth annual meeting of the body was held 
at Conneross Church, Pickens District, S. C., on Sep¬ 
tember 15th, 1837. M. W. Vandiver preached the ser¬ 
mon introductory to the business of the session, from 
Luke 11:2. After enrolling the names of the delegates, 
elected Littleton Meeks, Moderator, and H. F. Chandler, 
Clerk. Received and seated correspondents from sister 
Associations. Also appointed correspondents to same. 
(Space forbids inserting the names of messengers re¬ 
ceived and appointed.) Headin and Kimsey preached 
on Saturday. 

Discontinued correspondence with the Georgia Asso¬ 
ciation and Georgia Baptist Convention for the present. 
No reason is assigned for this action. 

The church at Chauga was reported in a destitute 
situation, and a number of the brethren agreed to visit 
the church from month to month and supply the church 
with the gospel. A resolution was passed requesting the 
Clerk to copy the minutes of the Association from the 
time it was constituted to the present, and agreed to pay 
him $20.00 for his service. 

The charity sermon was preached on Sunday by John 
W. Lewis, followed by a collection amounting to $28.81 1 / 4, 
to be placed in the hands of Elisha Headin, and applied 
to the printing of the Burman Bible. Thirty-six bap¬ 
tisms were reported this year. The Association now 
numbered 27 churches, and a total membership of 1282. 

While the churches annually sent up a fund for 
printing the minutes, this is the first time that any 
mention is made of a public collection for benevolent 
purposes. While there was opposition to missions then 
as there is now, a close study of the minutes clearly 
shows that there was always a considerable per cent 
of the body heartily in favor of Christian benevolence, 
and they never failed to express their sentiments. 

33 


In 1838 the body convened at Holly Springs Church, 
in Elbert County, Ga., on the 14th day of September. 
After the introductory sermon by A. J. Cobb, read the 
letters and enrolled the names of delegates. Elected 
John A. Davis, Moderator, H. F. Chandler continued as 
Clerk. After receiving and appointing correspondents 
to the Associations with which the body corresponded, 
a letter by the hand of J. Mattheys, P. Matthews and 
R. Thornton was read from the State Baptist Conven¬ 
tion which it appears called forth a lively discussion, 
but the majority decided that it was not “ expe¬ 
dient under existing circumstances to correspond 
with that body.” Three sermons were preached on 
Sunday but no collection for benevolence seems to have 
been taken. Three sermons were preached on Mon¬ 
day, and after passing the following resolution the body 
adjourned: 

Resolved, That the brother named in the letter from Middle 
River Church as an ordained minister, be not recognized as such 
in our minutes; and we recommend the adjoining churches to labor 
with the Middle River Church for a reconciliation in reference 
to the above resolution and their pastor. 


In 1839 we find the body again held its session at 
Eastanolle Church, Franklin County, on September 13th, 
14th, and 15th. Introductory sermon by J. Salman, 
from II Corinthians 15:33. Letters from 27 churches 
were read and names of the delegates enrolled. Elected 
J. W. Lewis, Moderator, H. F. Chandler, Clerk. Re¬ 
ceived into the union the church at Double Springs, 
and enrolled the names of her delegates. Seven ser¬ 
mons were preached at this session. The most important 
action of the body was the adoption of the following 
resolution: 

Whereas, The subject of missions has produced much excite¬ 
ment, Resolved that this Association do recommend to the churches 
composing this union to take into serious consideration what 
would be the best method of carrying into effect the Commis¬ 
sion of the Savior so that the Gospel shall be preached in all the 
world, and that they cherish sentiments of charity and forbearance 
one toward another. 


34 


This is the first time the subject of foreign missions 
is mentioned. 

The 23rd session of the body was held with the church 
at Bethel, Pickens District, S. C., commencing on Friday, 
September 13th, 1840, and continuing three days. We 
consider the action of the body at this session of suffi¬ 
cient importance to justify a complete account of the 
entire Association from the first day to its close. The 
minute is transcribed from the record in the language 
of H. F. Chandler, Clerk: 

1. The sermon introductory was delivered by Brother P. F. 
Burgess, 1st Cor. 13: 13. 

2. Read letters from the churches and enrolled their delegates. 

3. Elected John A. Davis, Moderator; H. F. Chandler, Clerk. 
A. W. McGuffin to preach the next sermon, B. Chambers his 
alternate, and John West to write the letter. 

4. Opened a door for the reception of churches. 

5. Appointed Wm. Sanders, Minyard Sanders, Walter Hughs 
and Dixon to arrange preaching. Jenkins, Jackson and Thomas 
with the Moderator and Clerk to arrange business. 

6. Adjourned till ten o’clock to-morrow morning. 

7. Saturday met pursuant to adjournment. Called delegates and 
marked absentees. 

8. Read the decorum. 

9. Received and read letters of correspondents, as follows: 
From the Saluda, a letter by brethren Simmons S. Vandiver, and 
Hunt. From the Mountain, a letter and minutes by brother 
Elrod. From the Sarepta, a letter and minutes by brethren 
P. Matthews, B. Thornton, and Poole. From the Georgia, a letter 
and minutes by Brother Moreman. From the Twelve-Mile, a letter 
and minutes by Brother Grisham. 

10. Appointed the following correspondents—Jackson to write 
to the Saluda; David, Jackson, Murdock and Burgess, Messengers. 
Sullivan to write to the Mountain; West, McGuffin, Chambers, 
Ray and Sullivan, Messengers. Jenkins to write to the Sarepta; 
Holland, M. H. Payne, Thomas, Mize, Burgess and Davis, Mes¬ 
sengers. M. Sanders to write to the Twelve-Mile; McGuffin, 
Sullivan, West, Dixon, Holland Adis and Jackson, Messengers. 

M. H. Payne to write to the Georgia; M. Sanders and - 

Thomas, Messengers. 

11. Appointed M. Sanders and Dixon a committee on Finance. 

12. Appointed Stovall, Chambers and West to examine corre¬ 
sponding minutes. 

13. Called on the Committee appointed last year to visit Middle 
River Church, who reports no progress, and requested further in¬ 
dulgence. Resolved, therefore, that the said committee do visit 
said church on Saturday before the third Sabbath in October next, 

35 


and endeavor to perform the work for which they were appointed; 
and report to the next Association. 

14. Whereas, the ehurch at Hunters Creek sent a letter to this 
body stating that there was a difficulty existing in said ehurch, 
requesting the advice of this Association: Resolved, therefore, that 
Murdock, Aderhold, Stovall, Jenkins, Thomas, Sanders and Mize 
be a committee to convene with said church on Saturday before 
the fourth Sabbath in November inst., and give such advice as 
they may think best calculated to remove the said difficulty, and 
report to the next Association. 

15. Read and adopted the circular letter. 

16. Appointed the next Association to convene at the Poplar 
Springs Church, Franklin County, Georgia, on Friday before the 
third Sabbath in September next. 

17. The committee on preaching report that B. Thornton, S. 
Vandiver, Simmons and Matthews occupy the stand on Sunday, 
in the order of their names, commencing at ten o ’clock A. M. 

18. The committee on business present the copy of an answer 
to the fourteenth article of the last minutes which they had 
selected from the letters severally, to this body, recommending it 
as containing nearly the whole in substance, comprised in said 
letters, collectively, which was read and ordered printed in the 
minutes, as follows: “What is the best method of carrying into 
effect the commission of the Savior so that the Gospel shall be 
preached in all the world, and that they (the Churches or mem¬ 
bers) cherish sentiments of charity and forbearance one towards 
another?” In Answer to the above we deem it necessary only to 
point out the duty of the churches and the work assigned the 
preacher of the Gospel, and in doing this it is important that 
we adhere closely to the scriptures on the subject. We regard 
it as the design and command of Jesus Christ that the gospel 
shall be preached in all the world; see Matthew, 24th chapter, 
14th verse, “And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached 
in all the world for a witness unto all nations, etc.” This is 
His design. The command was given by Christ to the apostles, 
Matthew 28: 19—Mark 16: 15. We conceive that this glorious 
design will be accomplished through the instrumentality of the 
church and her ministers dependent on divine grace, acting accord¬ 
ing to scriptural directions, Matthew 5: 13-14-15, which in time 
will effect the glorious purpose. 

We shall take the liberty here to glance at the duty of both 
the church and ministers, and none should be regarded such but 
those who first experience a saving change of heart, and are 
divinely impressed by the Holy Spirit to engage in the great 
and important work and approved of by the church, Eph. 3: 8. 
It is his duty to give himself to reading, to exhortation, to 
doctrine, etc., to feed the flock of God (the church alluded to) 
which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint 
but willing by, not for, filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, neither 
as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the 

36 


flock—1st Peter, 5: 28. Bead 1st Timothy, 4: 13-14-15-16, “Hold 
fast the form of sound words”—2nd Timothy, 2: 13, “Study to 
show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to 
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”—2: 15, being 
ready to preach the word; to reprove, rebuke, exhort, etc.—4: 20, 
yea and rather than be burdensome to any, the Apostle and his 
companions labored, working with their own hands, 1st Thes. 
2: 9, 2nd Thes. 3: 8. (Howbeit at that time they were laboring 
among the unbelieving Gentiles.) After Pentecost and the 
abundant outpouring of the Holy Ghost the Christians had all 
things common; the apostles had charge of all, and made distri¬ 
bution, as every one needed; but in consequence of murmuring 
by the Grecian widows, they found it necessary to institute the 
office of Deacon to take charge of this matter, and then the 
Apostles agreed to give themselves continually to prayer and the 
ministry of the work, saying that it was not reason that they 
should leave the word of God and serve tables, Acts 2, and Mark 
records that they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord 
working with them and confirming the word with signs following— 
Mark 16: 20. 

This is a good precedent to the present day, the Minister should 
endeavor to go as far as the Providence of God should open the 
way for them, notwithstanding bonds and afflictions may abide 
them. 

We shall now proceed to give some views of the duty and works 
of the Church: The church being the body of Christ, and having 
His spirit to animate it, each member is exhorted to the per¬ 
formance of good works. They are instructed by Jesus Christ 
to pray that His Kingdom may come, that he would send forth 
more laborers into the harvest. The Thessalonians were entreated 
by Paul to pray for him that the word of the Lord might have 
free course and be glorified, Matt. 6: 10, Luke 10: 2, 2nd Thessa¬ 
lonians 3: 1, and many other parallel passages, teaching the great 
duty of all Christians to pray, not only that the Lord may give 
them ministers; but that he would also make them useful. And 
this is not all their duty, for it is written, ‘ 1 Thou shalt not muzzle 
the ox that treadeth out the corn, and the laborer is worthy of 
his reward”—1st Tim. 5: 18, and again let him that is taught 
in the word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things— 
Gal. 6: 6. 

Paul asked the question, who goeth a warfare at his own 
charges? With many other questions worthy to be answered, and 
concluded by saying, that God has ordained that they who preach 
the gospel shall live of the gospel—1 Cor. 9. The minister, al¬ 
though he should be esteemed very high for the work’s sake, is 
not to have any honor of carrying into effect the Eedeemer’s 
message of mercy to lost sinners throughout the world, inde¬ 
pendent of Divine grace. For it is written, “By grace are ye 
saved through faith, that not of yourselves it is the gift of God. 
Not of works lest any man should boast, for we are his work- 

37 


manship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which God 
hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Eph. 2: 8- 
9-10. “Even when we were dead in sin He hath quickened us 
together with Christ, by grace are ye saved through faith”— 
5th verse. 

We have from Paul, “I have planted, Appollos watered, but 
God gave the increase”—1st Cor. 3: 6. We infer from the above 
and many other parallel passages, that the justification of the 
soul is of God, and that men are only instrumental in His hand 
of doing good; consequently, they should be influenced by the 
Holy Spirit to act consistently with scriptures; otherwise what 
they do is not acceptable. It is one cause that the ministers of 
Christ and his church are engaged in; they should act harmoni¬ 
ously together, each feeling the great responsibility they are 
under to the Lord, to the church, to each other, and to the world. 
Having the scriptures for their guide, the primitive ministers 
and saints for examples and their acts, as so many safe prece¬ 
dents, what is the duty of one church may be considered the duty 
of all the churches of Christ, being one, they should unite their 
prayers and influence together, feeling that they are not their own 
and that all they possess is of the Lord and belongs to Him. 

That the scriptures were translated into our language we regard 
as a great blessing. We therefore conceive that a faithful 
translation of the scriptures into the different languages entirely 
necessary and in no way inconsistent with the Divine will. As 
faith comes by hearing, it is necessary that ministers should 
preach, and when the people hear; to have the scriptures to read, 
by which means they as the Bereans may judge of the truth of 
what they hear. Nor yet do we think it necessary to form any 
societies distinct from the church for the accomplishment of this 
great and good work. The Church is built by Jesus Christ for 
this noble enterprise; it is not barely a society, but a Church, 
not only to resist one but all evils, not only to attempt one good 
work, but to perform all good works, and we believe the Church 
should be kept distinct from all other societies and worldly estab¬ 
lishments. 

An individual can be under no stronger obligation to resist evil 
and do good than to be a member of the gospel church, having 
the new testament for his guide and government. We conceive 
that the Church might by delegation unite in council to devise, as 
the Church at Jerusalem and as the church at Antioch, minister 
unto the Lord and fast that ministers may be sent forth by 
the Church and by the Holy Ghost, Acts 13: 2-3, and when 
they are laboring among the Gentiles, to send or communicate 
to them so the Phillipian church did to Paul while laboring at 
Thessalonica—Phil. 1:16; doing all that they do as to the glory 
of God, and the good of the human family, considering that of 
one blood was made all the nations of the earth. We believe the 
scriptures of the old and new testament to be the revealed will 
of God to his people on earth; and that all prayers and works 

38 


done by the church in strict adherence to His will; shall avail 
much; and that prayers and works not consistent to His will, and 
the divine purposes of God, availeth nothing. And further, we 
believe if all gospel churches would take the revealed will of God 
for their rule of faith and practice, that they would all cherish 
sentiments of charity and forbearance one towards another, and 
that the gospel will be preached in all the world in due time in 
accordance with God’s own will and purposes. For the name of 
God be glory given by the Church, through Jesus Christ, forever 
and ever, Amen. 

The churches are described as in a cold condition. 
December 31st was set apart as a day of fasting and 
prayer. Dismissed the church at Henrys and Holly 
Springs to join the Sarepta. 

In 1841 we find the body assembled at Poplar Springs 
(the church where she was organized in 1818), Septem¬ 
ber 18th. Introductory sermon by A. W. McGuffin. 
Read letters and enrolled the names of delegates. Re¬ 
ceived Providence Church, Pickens District, S. C., and 
enrolled her delegates. John A. Davis was elected Mod¬ 
erator, and H. F. Chandler, Clerk. Correspondents 
were received and appointed to the different Associa¬ 
tions. It appears that much of the time in those early 
days was consumed in reading letters and minutes from 
other Associations. The committee appointed at last 
session to settle a difficulty in Hunters Creek Church 
reported the matter settled, and that the Church is now 
in full fellowship and fair standing. 

The committee appointed to visit the Middle River 
Church reported that they visited the church, but were 
advised by a majority of said church to have nothing 
to say at that time on the subject-matter of their visit. 
They also reported that some very rigid resolutions were 
offered by their Elder, the ordination of whom the diffi¬ 
culty of 1838 originated. The resolutions declared a 
non-fellowship with a large majority of our denomina¬ 
tion, and also heavy charges against the Association, 
for refusing the aforesaid ordination. Some 18 or 20 
members sustained the resolutions and have joined the 
Oconee Association. [A Hardshell body.—Author.] The 
majority remaining we regard as the church, and we 

39 


heartily sustain them as such, believing them to be sound 
in the faith and doctrine. M. H. Payne, Chairman. 

The division was on account of the Association refus¬ 
ing to recognize the ordination of a preacher, and not 
on the subject of missions, as has been publicly stated 
in recent years by some who have more zeal than knowl¬ 
edge. A resolution was passed instructing the Clerk 
to insert in the minutes the total number of Baptist 
Associations, churches, ordained ministers and mem¬ 
bers in the United States. According to the Baptist 
Register for 1841, the number is as follows: Associa¬ 
tions 423, churches 8021, ordained ministers 4503, mem¬ 
bers 587,206. 

At the meeting of 1839, the union meetings were dis¬ 
continued. At this session they are revived, and it is 
made the duty of all the preachers to attend each union 
meeting. 

The twenty-fifth annual session of the body was held 
with the Line Church, in Habersham County, Septem¬ 
ber 16th, 1842. After the introductory sermon by B. 
Chambers, from Matthew 6:10, the body was organized 
by reading the letters and enrolling the names of dele¬ 
gates. Elected A. W. McGuffin, Moderator, and H. P. 
Chandler, Clerk. No business of any special importance 
was transacted. A resolution was offered and adopted 
that the Constitution, Rules of Decorum and Articles 
of Faith be printed in the minutes. T. Holland, S. 
Vandiver and M. W. Vandiver occupied the stand on 
Sunday. 

The Association assembled in its twenty-sixth annual 
session at Westminister Church, Pickens District, S. C., 
on Friday, September 15th, 1843. After the introduc¬ 
tory sermon by John West and the usual preliminaries 
of reading letters and enrolling the names of delegates, 
went into the election of officers when John A. Davis 
was elected Moderator, and H. F. Chandler, Clerk. 

It seems that practically the whole time at this meet¬ 
ing was consumed in receiving and seating correspond¬ 
ents, and reading the letters and minutes which these 
correspondents brought with them. Correspondents 

40 


were then appointed, and a number of brethren were 
appointed to write letters to these Associations. 

On Sunday, A. Rice, David Simmons and S. Vandiver 
occupied the stand. A resolution was passed endorsing 

and recommending A. Rice and-Mauldin, sent out 

by the Saluda Association, to travel and preach to the 
inhabitants of our mountain region. 

The twenty-seventh session of the body was held at 
the usual time, Friday before the third Lord’s day in 
September, 1844, and days following, at Double Branches 
Church. John A. Davis and H. F. Chandler were con¬ 
tinued as Moderator and Clerk, respectively. 

The Association was called on this year to mourn the 
loss by death of Dozier Thornton, one of its oldest min¬ 
isters, who was said to have been a most excellent man, 
and a good preacher. He was a pioneer with the Mer¬ 
cers, Marshalls and others in the first settlement of the 
state. One hundred and twenty-eight members were 
added to the churches by baptism during the last year. 
The body now numbered 1228 members and 30 churches, 
scattered over Rabun, Habersham, Hall, Franklin and 
Elbert Counties, in Georgia, and a large part of the 
territory between Tugalo and Seneca Rivers in South 
Carolina, and only six ordained ministers. 

The Association convened in its twenty-eighth annual 
session at Middle River Church on Friday before the 
third Sunday in September, 1845. After the intro¬ 
ductory sermon by A. W. McGuffin, read the letters 
and enrolled the names of delegates and continued John 
A. Davis, as Moderator, and H. F. Chandler, Clerk. The 
remainder of the day was spent receiving and appoint¬ 
ing correspondents to sister Associations. The Consti¬ 
tution and Rules of Decorum were read according to 
custom, and union meetings appointed. The death of 
David Qualls is mentioned in a resolution, as follows: 

Whereas, It has pleased God in His Providence to remove 
from his earthly labors our aged brother, David Qualls, we deeply 
lament his death and extend our sympathy to his family. 

Dismissed the following churches: Bethlehem, Bethel, 
41 



Chauga, Double Springs, Holly Springs, Long Creek, 
Providence, and Westminister, to form a new Associa¬ 
tion. Also appointed John A. Davis, A. W. McGuffin 
and C. W. Crow to go to West Union on Friday before 
the second Sabbath in October, to assist in the formation 
of the new Association. 

On Friday, September the 18th, 1846, the body con¬ 
vened in its twenty-ninth annual session at Pleasant Hill 
Church, Pickens District, S. C. The body was called 
to order by the Moderator, letters read and names of the 
delegates enrolled. John A. Davis and H. F. Chandler 
were continued as Moderator and Clerk. Here a long 
list of corresponding messengers were reported, which 
we pass in silence, as it would be of no interest to the 
reader, they being members of other Associations. 
Beaverdam Church, in Franklin County, Ga., was by 
request dismissed. 

Resolved, That we recommend to the different churches of our 
Union to meet at their respective places of worship on each Lord’s 
day and engage in religious exercise in conformity to the custom 
of the apostles and early Christians. 


The resolution further recommends the churches to 
so support their pastors that they may give their full 
time to the ministry, and further to pray the Lord of 
the harvest to send more laborers into His vineyard. 
Clarks Creek has the largest membership of any church 
in the body, which is 88. Eastanollee stands second 
with 73 members, and Poplar Springs third with 72. 

The body held its thirtieth anniversary on September 
17th, 1847, with the church at Beaverdam, then Pickens, 
now Anderson District, S. C., near Fairplay. A. W. 

McGuffin preached the introductory sermon and - 

Ellard, H. M. Barton, J. J. Wilson and P. F. Burgess 
occupied the stand on the Sabbath. Quite a number 
of distinguished ministers have visited almost every 
meeting of this Association. Jesse Mercer, Y. R. Thorn¬ 
ton and others from the Georgia Association were always 
present and ready to aid by their counsel. These old 

42 



veterans, together with all of the ministers who went 
into the organization of the body in 1818, were gone. 
Their names no longer appear as delegates or as pastors 
of the churches. Another generation is now building 
on the foundation laid so broad and deep by these 
pioneer fathers. After appointing messengers to the 
Saluda, Twelve-Mile, West Union and Sarepta Asso¬ 
ciations, adjourned. 

A. W. McGuffin, Moderator. 

H. F. Chandler, Clerk. 

The body convened in its 31st annual session at 
Clarks Creek Church, Franklin County, Georgia, on 
September 16th, 1848. J. A. Davis, Moderator, and 
H. F. Chandler, Clerk. The business transacted at this 
session according to the minutes which lie before us 
was as follows: Appointed a committee to arrange 
preaching. Appointed a committee to arrange business. 
Received correspondents from sister Associations. The 
committee on preaching announce that H. Lecroy, B. 
Burriss, P. F. Burgess and David Simmons occupy the 
stand on Sabbath. Read and approved the correspond¬ 
ing letter. Appointed union meetings. Advised all 
the churches to take public collections at their regular 
meetings for the purpose of raising a fund to compen¬ 
sate the preachers, that they may travel and preach in 
the destitute bounds of the Association. A collection 
was taken for Domestic Missions, which amounted to 
$165.52. Adjourned. 

John A. Davis, Moderator. 

H. F. Chandler, Clerk. 

In 1849, the introductory sermon was delivered 
before the Association, convened at Leatherwood 
Church, by Simeon Hembree, 1st Corinthians, 13:13. 
John A. Davis and H. F. Chandler were elected 
Moderator and Clerk, in the order of their names. 
The Committee on Domestic Missions made the following 
report: 


43 


Amount contributed by delegates at last session. .$16.52 


Sent in by Beaverdam Church. 12.20 

Sent in by Shoal Creek Church. 9.20 

Sent in by Lin© Church. 4.25 

Public Collection on Sabbath at last session. 14.02 


Total amount .$56.19 


Resolved, That the articles of Faith, Constitution, and Rules 
of Decorum be ordered printed in the minutes. 

The foregoing report on Domestic Missions is evidence 
of the growing interest in the benevolent work of the 
body, and of the denomination. 

In 1850, the body met with Shiloh Church, Pickens 
District, S. C., on September 15th, in its thirty-third 
annual session. A. W. McGuffin preached the introduc¬ 
tory sermon from 2nd Timothy, 3:16-17. 

After reading the letters and enrolling the names of 
delegates, re-elected John A. Davis, Moderator, and 
H. F. Chandler, Clerk. Received as members of the 
body Westminister, Pickens District, S. C., and Ebenezer, 
a newly-constituted church in Habersham County, 
Georgia. After appointing the usual committees, called 
for correspondents from sister Associations, and re¬ 
ceived from the Mountain Bro. Pitts, from West Union 
a letter and minutes by Brethren Finley and Burns; 
from the Twelve-Mile, a letter and minutes by 
Brethren Kennemon, Owens, Martin and Brewer; 
from the Sarepta a letter by Bro. S. B. Sanders; from 
the Saluda, a letter and minutes by D. Simmons and 
R. Hunnicutt. 

The stand was occupied on the Sabbath by Geenings, 
Sanders and David Simmons, who preached the charity 
sermon. On Monday corresponding messengers were 
appointed to all of the above named Associations. Re¬ 
ceived and adopted the report of the Domestic Mission 
Board, as follows: Your Committee employed Brethren 
John A. Davis and H. M. Barton to labor and preach 
in the most destitute parts of the Association, at the 
rate of sixteen dollars per month. Davis reports thirty 
days’ service, and Barton reports sixteen days. 

44 








Paid Davis and Barton. 

Leaving on hand a balance of. 

Amount sent up by the churches for domestic mis¬ 


sions 

For minutes 


$25.84 

30.35 


33.73 

25.43 


The body now numbered 1078 whites, 106 colored, 9 
ordained preachers, 10 licensed preachers and 119 bap¬ 
tisms were reported during the last associational year. 

The body met in its thirty-fourth annual session with 
the Carnesville Baptist Church, on September 19th, 1851. 
The introductory sermon was preached by John G. York, 
from Matthew 28:30. J. A. Davis and H. F. Chandler 
were continued as Moderator and Clerk. Received into 
the Union at this time, Long Creek by letter, New Hope 
and Mount Pleasant, two newly-constituted churches. 
Messengers were received and seated from Saluda, 
Twelve-Mile, Georgia and Mountain, and correspondence 
was opened with the Clarkesville, a newly constituted 
Association. Union meetings were appoirded for each 
district and delegates elected. (From the records it 
appears that the Association elected the delegates to the 
Union Meetings and the churches had no voice as to who 
should be delegates.) The Clerk was instructed to record 
in the minutes the time and place of meeting of each 
Association with which this body is in correspondence. 
John A. Davis, J. G. York, Milton Hicks, H. M. Barton, 
and David Simmons, who had been employed by the 
Domestic Mission Board, reported as follows: Davis 15 
days, Milton Hicks 30 days, H. M. Barton 30 days, John 
G. York 16 days. For which the sum total paid these 
brethren was $51.18%, leaving a balance in the hands 
of the Board of $12.89%. 

Elias Sosebee preached at the stand at 10 a. m. on Sab¬ 
bath, followed by H. M. Barton, who according to ap¬ 
pointment, preached on Domestic Missions at 11 o’clock, 
A. m., after which a collection was taken for Domestic 
Missions, amounting to $30.00. Fund now on hand, 
$60.99. 

Let us now take a backward glance: The Association 
now embraced a large territory and fast increasing 


45 






population, on either side of Tugalo River in Georgia 
and South Carolina. She had furnished most of the 
material for the Mountain, Clarkesville and West Union 
Associations, but at this very session we hear complaint 
of the destitution prevailing within the bounds of the 
Association. Facilities for traveling were not then what 
they are today. The country was sparsely settled and 
roads bad, but these faithful Baptists never allowed 
distance to interfere with what they considered to be a 
Christian duty. Who laid the foundation upon which 
we are building today? I have never been one, and 
God forbid I should be one, to disparage our Baptist 
fathers. 

The Church at Zebulon, one mile south of the present 
town of Toccoa, entertained the Association in its thirty- 
fifth annual session, on 17th, 18th and 20th of September, 
1852. William Kelly preached the introductory sermon 
from 2nd Timothy, 4:6-7. 

Enrolled the names of delegates. Received the Church 
at Indian Creek, a newly-constituted church. Ebenezer 
dismissed at last session returned her letter and was 
recognized as a member of the body; also Providence 
was received by letter from the Saluda. Received and 
seated correspondents from sister Associations, to-wit: 
Saluda, Sarepta, Clarkesville, Chattahoochee, and Moun¬ 
tain. The Domestic Mission Board reported that John 
G. York had traveled and preached 56 days, H. M. Bar¬ 
ton 28 days and Samuel Isbell 12 days, under direction 
of the Board, and had been paid in the aggregate $50.13. 
Chandler Hix, Morris Jackson and John H. Aderhold 
were re-appointed members of the Domestic Mission 
Board. Finance committee reports sent up by the 
churches for Domestic Missions, $38.98, and for minute 
fund, $29.89; collection at the stand on Sabbath, $15.60. 
Balance on hand, $65.44. 

The body convened in its thirty-sixth annual session 
with the church at Westminister, Pickens District, S. C., 
on the 16th day of September, 1853. After enrollment 
of the names of delegates, continued John A. Davis as 
Moderator, and H. F. Chandler, Clerk. Received into 
46 


the Union, Double Springs Church by letter from the 
Saluda. Received and seated correspondents from sister 
Associations. Appointed the usual committees. Ap¬ 
pointed union meetings at Double Branches, Zebulon 
and Beaver dam. Read and adopted the circular letter. 
The circular letter never appears on the records, neither 
is the subject upon which the letter was written men¬ 
tioned. 

The committee on the state of religion states that 
while some of the churches have had gracious revivals 
and numerous accessions by experience and baptism, 
they deplore the fact that the standard of piety in 
most of the churches is so faint and weak. As a 
remedy they advise ‘ ‘ fervent prayer and energetic 
service to the cause of Christ, who gave Himself a 
sacrifice for the world.” The report closes with 
the following exhortation: “All that we have and are 
belongs to Him, and now what is the return we are 
making ? ’’ 

A careful examination of our hearts and prayerful 
reading and studying the scriptures, good books and 
religious periodicals would afford us great aid in un¬ 
derstanding our several duties. These are some of our 
thoughts, and we hope they may lead us all to further 
investigation of this highly interesting subject. Three 
hundred thirty-one had been baptized during the year. 
The Domestic Mission Board reports that H. M. Bar¬ 
ton has labored 22 days, John A. Davis 15 days, Samuel 
Isbell 16 days, and David Simmons 11 days, all of 
which amounts have been discharged, aggregating 
$35.16. Honorable mention was made at this session 
of the death of Littleton Meeks, who for six years was 
Moderator of the body, and suitable resolutions were 
passed. A resolution was offered and passed that the 
Association then adjourn on account of serious epidemic 
which prevailed all over the country. After taking a 
collection for Domestic Missions, which, added to what 
was in the hands of the Board, amounted to $88. 1 
and passing a resolution recommending the Johnson 
Female University to the patronage of the Association 

47 


and the friends of the cause of education generally, 
adjourned. 

In 1854 the body convened at Reed Creek Church, 
in Hart County, Georgia, September 15th and 16th. 
John G. York was the introductory preacher. The same 
officers were continued. Among the corresponding mes¬ 
sengers present were: from Saluda, J. Burdiss, B. Bur- 
riss, D. Simmons, and W. V. Long. From the Sarepta, 

B. Thornton, - Brazington, S. B. Sanders and 

L. W. Stephens. From the Twelve-Mile, W. M. Morton, 
Long Creek Church was dismissed from the body at 
this session. A resolution was passed recommending the 
“Christian Index’’ to the patronage of the brethren. 
A general conference of the Ministers and Deacons 
was appointed at Shoal Creek Church on Thursday 
before the fourth Sabbath in July next, and the minis¬ 
ters and deacons generally are invited to attend. 
Thirty-five dollars and forty-five cents was sent up by 
the churches for Domestic Missions, and $37.74 for min¬ 
utes. The report of the committee on the State of 
Religion is an able document, which follows just as it 
appears on the record: 

The committee on the state of religion reports as follows: 
Your committee beg leave to report on reflecting on the subject, 
it appears to us that it refers to the condition of those persons 
professing the enjoyment of its blessings. If so, what is the 
fruit of its existence in our own souls? These things are mani¬ 
fested in deeds of love and benevolence. Then, what is our inter¬ 
course in this matter? Let us now, brethren, take these evi¬ 
dences to our own hearts, and ascertain if possible, the grounds 
of our hopes. Love being the mainspring of every action, it is 
also the source of every virtue. The necessary graces are no 
doubt within us. It perhaps only remains for us to reach out 
our feeble and unpracticed arms, and we will have accomplished 
the first great end. But we must be brief; in our report we 
assume the position that there are many brethren who would do 
something in the great work of diffusive benevolence if they 
knew what to do. But may not this darkness be somewhat dis¬ 
persed by reading the Index? This organ reflects much light 
on this subject. Also establishing a depository of the best de¬ 
nominational books might afford us much aid in accomplishing 
the end desired. We are happy to say that in the ranks of the 
ministry there has been no deaths within the last year. The 
name of God be glorified. 


48 



A donation of fifty dollars was made by certain 
brethren (whose names are not given), for the purpose 
of establishing a book depository. Col. Thomas Morris 
was elected treasurer and depository agent for the book 
department, and John G. York, W. R. Wellborn, J. A. 
Aderhold and James Attaway, committee. Samuel Isbell 
reports five days’ labor under the directions of the Do¬ 
mestic Mission Board; John G. York reports having 
rendered thirty-eight days ’ service, heard 82 experiences 
and baptized 57 converts. Marion Sewell reports 22 
days’ service, and heard 54 experiences. For which the 
brethren were paid in the aggregate $34.60, each being 
paid at the rate of $16.00 per month. John A. Davis 
preached the missionary sermon at the stand on the 
Sabbath, after which they took a collection for Domes¬ 
tic Missions, amounting to $26.00. 

We have now traced the history of the Association 
through a period of thirty-seven years, which we have 
designated the formative period. During all this time 
it was continually receiving and giving off churches, 
scattered over a vast territory, embracing at one time 
a large portion of Pendleton District, S. C., all of what 
is now Franklin, a large portion of Hart and two 
churches in Elbert, on the west and north, most of what 
is now Banks, Habersham and Rabun Counties, in 
Georgia. The Fork Association, in S. C., was largely 
organized of churches from the Tugalo. The Clarks¬ 
ville, Mountain and Liberty were formed almost ex¬ 
clusively of churches dismissed from this body. Truly, 
the Tugalo has been the Mother of Associations. About 
this time it seems to have become more active, and 
a period or work began on broader and more exten¬ 
sive plans of operation. Up to this time all their efforts 
had been directed to local interests. It is noticeable that 
for several years past the churches have been sending 
regular contributions for Domestic Missions, and the 
Board had employed each year from three to four of 
their ablest men to travel and preach in the destitute 
sections of the Association. The Association had by no 
means been idle or inactive, for by the untiring energies 

49 


of this noble band of Christians, the gospel had been 
firmly planted, and sound Baptist doctrines and prin¬ 
ciples permanently established throughout this whole 
region, their labors partaking largely of the nature of 
mission work, yet without compensation. 

As has already been stated, the first thirty-seven 
years of the early history of the Association were spent 
simply preaching the gospel to her own people, and 
establishing churches within her own bounds, and she 
did it well, laying broad and deep the foundation upon 
which the great superstructure, as we now behold it, 
has been erected, standing out colossal and grand! 

We here give a short extract from ‘‘Conscience in 
Missions,” an address delivered by Dr. T. T. Eaton of 
Louisville, Ky., before the Southern Baptist Convention 
at Nashville, Tenn., in 1893. This extract is given be¬ 
cause it contains the very things the writer has so many 
times wished he could say. Dr. Eaton says: 

I have never been one, and God forbid I ever should be one, 
to disparage our Baptist Fathers. It is a species of Phariseeism 
that thanks God for our superiority to the saints who have gone 
to glory, and which tells with complacency how much greater our 
achievements have been than theirs. We can rightly thank God 
for the grace given unto us, whereby we have been able to do 
what we have done, and we confess not only our own short¬ 
comings, but those of our fathers. When Daniel made his great 
confession in that beautiful prayer of his, he said: “We and 
our fathers have sinned. Only after we have confessed our own 
sins may we confess the sins of our fathers. It is a more 
wholesome exercise of mind and heart to consider the nobleness 
of the sainted dead, and how we can most faithfully carry out 
the trust they have committed to us under God. ” 

Let us not harshly blame our fathers because no missionaries 
went out from among them to the heathen. Looking over the 
world they saw no land unpolluted by the persecution of their 
brethren, no river unstained by their martyrs’ blood; they re¬ 
membered that through the centuries it had required their utmost 
exertions to keep their own people supplied with preaching; as 
they trembled in the catacombs of Rome, or lay in the forest 
among wild beasts kinder than their fellow men. When crossing 
the ocean, to a land where freedom reigned in the boastful words 
of its people, they found to their sorrow no freedom for them. 
Those who claimed freedom for themselves drove Baptists, maimed, 
beaten, and bleeding into the wilderness. Think you a govern¬ 
ment which imprisoned John Bunyan in Bedford jail, which 

50 


■whipped Obadiah Holmes on Boston Commons, and incarcerated 
James Ireland in Culpepper, Va., would have allowed Baptists to 
organize to send the gospel to the heathen? Let us remember 
there was less than a century from the cessation of persecution, 
so that Baptist Missionary organizations became possible, till 
Carey arose. When I think of all that Baptists have suffered, I 
do not wonder that when for the first time in seventeen hundred 
years the woman in the wilderness found a resting place for her 
weary feet, and gathering her true-hearted sons about her, with 
none to molest or make her afraid, she was content simply to rest 
—“the world forgetting by the world forgotten.” 

The Association met in its 38th annual session at 
Hunters Creek Church, Franklin County, Georgia, Sep¬ 
tember 15th, 1855. The introductory sermon was 
preached by David H. Payne. The same officers were 
continued. Correspondents from the various Associa¬ 
tions were welcomed and seated. The committee on the 
state of religion reported that while the churches are at 
peace and appear to be in a healthy state, they lament 
so few accessions by baptism, only 75 being reported for 
the Associational year. Thomas Morris, agent and treas¬ 
urer of the book department, reports that there have 
been sold by the brethren on the field as Domestic Mis¬ 
sionaries 182 volumes; that they now have on hand 112 
volumes; that there has been no increase of funds, and 
no expense incurred in selling. John G. York, John A. 
Davis, H. M. Barton, and Marion Sewell were each 
employed for a brief period to travel and preach in the 
destitute sections of the Association; $29.25 was sent 
up by the churches for Domestic Missions; 75 cents 
was contributed for foreign missions, and $4.00 for 
Southern Domestic Missions. This is the first minute 
that makes any report of any contribution for foreign 
missions. The Domestic Mission Board reports that the 
plan under which the work has been carried on is not 
as successful as they desire, they therefore request the 
Association to adopt some plan by which the Mission 
work may be prosecuted more successfully, whereupon 
the following resolution was offered and adopted: 

Resolved, therefore, That the Board secure the services of one 
or more ministers to travel and preach as missionaries and sell 

51 


books as colporteur, and to visit every church in the Association 
during the next year. 

John A. Davis, Moderator, notified the body that he 
wished to withdraw from further service as their pre¬ 
siding officer, and a vote of thanks was tendered him 
by the Association for his long, faithful and efficient 
service. The body now numbered eleven ordained 
preachers and had a total membership of 1884. 

In 1856 the introductory sermon was delivered by 
David H. Payne, from John 3:16, before the body con¬ 
vened at Beaverdam Church, Pickens District, S. C., on 
the 19th day of September. John A. Davis, for many 
years the efficient Moderator of the body, having declined 
reelection on account of advanced age and declining 
health, H. M. Barton was elected Moderator, and H. F. 
Chandler continued as Clerk. Liberty Hill, Pleasant 
Grove, Ziden and Hazel Creek, all newly constituted 
churches, were received; also Hepzibah by certificate 
from the Saluda Association. A resolution was offered, 
that the Association become a member of the Baptist 
State Convention of Georgia, and after mature delibera¬ 
tion the resolution was withdrawn, and the following 
adopted: 

Resolved, That we recommend the churches of this Association 
to consider the propriety of becoming a constituent member of 
the Baptist State Convention of Georgia, and report to the next 
Association. 

The book depository and the Mission Board report a 
most successful year’s work, while the future outlook 
was never brighter. The hearts of the brethren were 
greatly encouraged. The ministers were unusually active 
during the Associational year. Besides their regular 
engagements as pastors, every church in the bounds of 
the Association had been visited by one or more of the 
following named brethren: H. M. Barton, D. H. Payne, 
J. H. Aderhold, John A. Davis, Wm. Kelly and J. G. 
York. Besides their labor in the ministry, they had sold 
books furnished by the book depository, to the value of 
$163.98. It is a noticeable as well as remarkable fact 

52 


that William Kelly reports 31 days’ service on the field, 
but utterly refused any compensation for his service. 
The missionary sermon was preached on the Sabbath by 
John Q. West, of the Georgia Association, after which 
a public collection was taken, amounting to $47.08. Dur¬ 
ing the Associational year 328 members have been added 
to the churches by experience and baptism, and the body 
now numbers 2,222 members. 

In 1857 the body convened in its fortieth annual ses¬ 
sion with the Shoal Creek Church, Hart County, Georgia, 
on the 18th day of September. John H. Aderhold was 
the introductory preacher for the occasion. The com¬ 
mittee appointed at the last association to ascertain the 
will of the churches in reference to the Association be¬ 
coming a constituent member of the Baptist Convention 
of the State of Georgia, reported that having made 
careful investigation, they find the churches divided on 
the subject, and recommend no further action until the 
next Association. John G. York, Treasurer, Book De¬ 
pository, reports 155 volumes sold during the Associa¬ 
tional year, and that he now has on hand 98 volumes. 
The committee on Domestic Missions report 90 days’ 
service in the bounds of the Association by John A. 
Davis, John H. Aderhold and Samuel Isbell. The 
amount sent up for Domestic Missions was $28.80. The 
missionary sermon was preached on the Sabbath by John 
G. York, and a public collection was taken, amounting 
to $75.85. For foreign missions $12.50, and for Bible 
Society, $5.00. Total, $122.15. 

The forty-first annual meeting of the Association was 
held with Eastanollee Church, Franklin County, 
Georgia, on the 17th day of September, 1858. H. M. 
Barton, Moderator, and H. F. Chandler, Clerk. Intro¬ 
ductory sermon by Wm. Kelly. John G. York, Treas¬ 
urer of the Book Depository, reports having purchased 
116 volumes from the S. B. P. S. at Charleston. 
Number on hand last session, 98 volumes. He expresses 
his regret that only 68 volumes have been sold, and 
complains that ministers employed as Missionaries and 
colporteurs seem to take no interest in selling books. 
53 


John H. Aderhold reports 27 days’ service, 62 experi¬ 
ences, and baptized 30 candidates. John A. Davis re¬ 
ports having labored 60 days, and J. A. Bell reports 26 
days. The committee on the state of religion deplores 
the indifference and lack of interest prevailing in the 
bounds of the Association. The Clerk reports “no list 
returned of the amount sent up by the churches.” J. A. 
Davis preached the missionary sermon on the Sabbath, 
and a collection was taken as follows: Domestic Mis¬ 
sions, $26.70; Foreign Missions, $11.00. The first con¬ 
tribution for foreign missions in 1855 was 75 cents, now 
it is $11.00. Took into consideration the propriety of 
becoming a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, 
referred the subject to the next meeting of this body, 
and requested the churches to consider the question and 
report to the next meeting of this body. Upon the whole, 
this appears to have been a dull session, such as some 
of us now living have attended. The following is a 
list of the ordained ministers belonging to the Associa¬ 
tion—the first time the list has ever appeared: 

Henry M. Barton, Fairplay, S. C.; Samuel Isbell, Fairplay, 
S. C.; J. R. Hunnicutt, Waltons Ford, Ga.; John G. York, Carnes¬ 
ville, Ga.; J. H. Aderhold, Carnesville, Ga.; David H. Payne, 
Carnesville, Ga.; John A. Davis, Clarkesville, Ga.; William Kelly, 
Moseleys Store, Ga.; James Brown, Clarkesville, Ga.; L. B. Nor¬ 
ton, Clarkesville, Ga.; Elias Sosebee, Hudson, Ga. 

The forty-second annual meeting of the body was held 
at Liberty Church, Pickens District, South Carolina, 
September 17th, 1859. The weather being very incle¬ 
ment on Friday, the Association did not convene; David 
H. Payne preached the introductory to the few who had 
assembled. Saturday the delegates assembled and re¬ 
elected H. M. Barton, Moderator, and H. F. Chandler, 
Clerk. John A. Davis reported a 26 days’ service under 
the employment of the Domestic Mission Board. John 
H. Aderhold reported eight days’ service traveling and 
preaching. The committee on the state of religion re¬ 
ported great coldness in the churches generally , and a 
fearful indifference prevailing upon the part of the 
members. They also recommend the putting a mission- 

54 


ary on the field for full time, whose duty it shall be 
to travel through the bounds of the Association and 
preach and sell books, and give Bibles and testaments 
to those not able to buy, and try to create an interest 
in Sunday School work. After adopting the report, 
the body then went into committee of the whole for the 
purpose of electing a minister to serve the Association 
as missionary. John H. Aderhold was declared duly 
elected, and his salary was fixed at $1.00 per day for 
six months, which was agreed to by Bro. Aderhold. 
Owing to the absence of John G. York, Treasurer of the 
Book Depository, no report was made of the work. 
Took a vote of the delegates on question of becoming a 
member of the Southern Baptist Convention, which was 
in the affirmative, and appointed as Messengers to the 
Convention, W. F. Bowers, John A. Davis, H. M. Bar¬ 
ton, Elias Sosebee, H. F. Chandler, J. H. Aderhold, 

Samuel Isbell, L. N. Tribble and - Brubbs. Also 

instructed the Moderator and Clerk to prepare the 
letter and petition. 

[Note. —Rev. L. B. Norton, who was at that time one of the 
leading spirits of the body, told the writer of these sketches that 
the Association could easily have become a member of the Con¬ 
vention when the question was agitated at the sessions of 1857 
and 1858, but owing to slight opposition they thought it better 
to wait until the body was united on the question, “Behold how 
good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in 
unity. ’ ’] 

The finance committee reported on hand for Foreign 
Missions, $44.26; for Domestic Missions, $67.52. 

In 1860 the Association held its forty-second anniver¬ 
sary with Double Branches Church, Franklin County, 
Georgia, September 15th. II. M. Barton and W. F. 
Bowers were continued as Moderator and Clerk. The 
Liberty Church in Habersham County was dismissed 
at this session. The reports of all the committees were 
both interesting and encouraging. The work was now 
beginning to be well diversified. An interesting reso¬ 
lution on the subject and importance of Sabbath Schools 
was introduced by W. R. Wellborn, D.D., and after an 

55 



interesting speech by William Walker (author of the 
“Southern Harmony/ 7 and later author of the “Chris¬ 
tian Harmony”) was unanimously adopted. A reso¬ 
lution by Milton Hicks condemning the making, vending 
and drinking of ardent spirits was also adopted, after 
appropriate remarks by a number of brethren. J. R. 
Earle was relieved as Book Depositor and Treasurer, 
and J. H. Aderhold was appointed to succeed him. J. H. 
Aderhold, Domestic Missionary, reports having labored 
115 days. John A. Davis, William Kelly, J. H. Ader¬ 
hold, Elias Sosebee, H. M. Barton, W. P. Bowers, J. C. 
Jackson, A. H. Terrell and S. B. Sanders were elected 
delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention, and a 
fund of $15.00 placed in their hands to be turned over 
to the Convention for general purposes. 

The next session of the body was held at Indian Creek, 
Franklin County, Ga., September 13th, 1861. W. F. 
Bowers preached the introductory sermon. The Asso¬ 
ciation now has an enrollment of thirty-two churches, 
with a total membership of 2,385 persons, sixteen or¬ 
dained ministers, and five licentiates. The mission work 
has succeeded beyond the expectations of the most san¬ 
guine. Not because contributions have been very much, 
but the opposition is gone, all gone, and the body is 
thoroughly united with greatly increased capacity for 
usefulness. But the war cloud has arisen. Some of 
the young men are now in camps, many others are 
drilling for service and a general gloom is cast over all; 
even the children are made sad as they hear their fathers 
talk of war and bloodshed. 

The essay on the importance of Sabbath Schools pre¬ 
pared and read by W. R. Wellborn, D.D., who was ap¬ 
pointed at last session, is an able document covering 
four and one-half pages; if space would allow we would 
insert it just as it appears on the record, but the in¬ 
tention of the writer is to be as brief as he can while 
desiring to make these sketches. 

The Association met in 1862 at South Union Church 
in its forty-fifth annual session, September 19th, 1862. 
L. B. Norton preached the introductory sermon from 

56 


Psalm 133:1: “Behold how good and how pleasant it 
is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” H. M. 
Barton was again elected Moderator, and W. F. Bowers, 
Clerk. The Church at Corinth, a newly constituted 
church, was received at this session (now extinct). Re¬ 
ports of the committees were read and adopted according 
to custom, but the minds of the brethren seem to be 
mainly absorbed on the war-torn condition of our coun¬ 
try, and the time was mainly taken up considering the 
interest of the soldiers in the service. H. M. Barton 
agreed to go and preach to the soldiers, and a liberal 
contribution was made by the body to sustain him in 
this work. (The amount contributed is not stated in the 
minutes.) 

The delegates were instructed to request their churches 
to contribute liberally to this noble work. The impor¬ 
tance of keeping up Sabbath Schools in the churches was 
again stressed. Elected delegates to the Southern Bap¬ 
tist Convention. After adopting suitable resolutions on 
the death of John Moore, D.D., adjourned. 

On September 18th, 1863, the Association met in its 
forty-sixth annual session with the church at Poplar 
Springs. The churches were requested to send up a 
report of all Sabbath Schools now in operation to the 
next Association. James P. Boyce was present at this 
session as a correspondent from the Tiger River Asso¬ 
ciation. A collection was taken at the stand on the 
Sabbath amounting to $150.00, which added to sum 
already in the hands of the treasurer amounted to 
$279.97. Resolved, that this fund be equally divided 
and applied as follows: Colportage Work, Domestic 
Missions, Foreign Missions, and the Sunday School 
Board at Greenville, S. C. The minutes are silent as 
to who preached the Missionary sermon at this session. 
J. P. Boyce being present, we reasonably suppose he was 
the preacher for the occasion. 

In 1864 the body convened at Leatherwood Church, 
in Banks County, Georgia, September 16th, in its forty- 
seventh annual session. Introductory sermon by J. H. 
Aderhold. The same officers were continued. Suitable 
57 


resolutions were adopted upon the death of Rev. John 
Stower. Owing to the disturbed condition of our coun¬ 
try, Resolved, not to elect delegates to the Southern Bap¬ 
tist Convention. J. H. Aderhold, Treasurer of the 
Book Depository, reports two dozen Testaments given to 
soldiers in the army. Directed that the proceeds of the 
collection taken at the stand on Sabbath be expended 
in purchasing small testaments for the use of the soldiers 
in the army. Appropriated $50.00 to pay W. F. Bowers 
for services rendered in the bounds of the Association 
during the last associational year. The Domestic Mis¬ 
sion Board was directed to act as formerly in procuring 
the services of ministers to labor in the bounds of the 
Association. Only thirty baptisms are reported this 
year. The Association now has eighteen ordained minis¬ 
ters and one licentiate, and 1,944 white and 151 colored 
members, total 2,095. 

The body met in 1865 at Beaverdam Church, near 
Fairplay, S. C., on the 15th day of September, this 
being the forty-eighth annual session. The introduc¬ 
tory sermon was preached by A. H. Terrell. H. M. 
Barton was continued as Moderator, and Dr. A. W. 
Brawner was elected Clerk. The Church at Ander- 
sonville, S. C., was received into the body at this ses¬ 
sion. The war had just closed, and everything was in 
a demoralized condition. The government was a perfect 
wreck, and all business interests paralyzed. Our once 
fair country had been devastated by the ravages of war, 
all large fortunes swept away, and everybody made poor. 
Straggling bands of union soldiers were raiding the 
country, stealing and taking by force watches, ladies’ 
jewelry, and whatever they could lay their hands on 
of any value. But amid it all the zeal and energy of 
the Tugalo Baptists never slackened, and while they 
had but little money left to give, they gave themselves 
heartily to the work. Col. Thomas Morris, Treasurer, 
reports that the funds in his hands being in confederate 
currency is worthless, that he has failed to carry out the 
recommendations made at the last Association because 
he had no money with which to purchase books. The 

58 


missionary sermon was dispensed with, and discontinued 
the work of the domestic mission board for the present, 
and passed the following resolution: 

Resolved, That nevertheless we wish it distinctly understood, 
that we recommend the churches to cherish the missionary spirit, 
and encourage the ministry as circumstances will admit. 

Suitable resolutions were adopted upon the death of 
Rev. Hendricks Hayes, who was killed in the battle of 
Waynesboro, Ga. After suitable remarks by the Moder¬ 
ator, sung “Blest be the tie that binds,” and gave each 
other the parting hand. 

H. M. Barton, Moderator. 

A. W. Brawner, Clerk. 

The following year, 1866, the body convened at 
Carnesville Church on September 14th, in its forty-ninth 
annual session. After the usual introductory sermon, 
which was preached by William Kelly, letters were read 
from the churches, and enrolled the names of delegates. 
H. M. Barton and A. W. Brawner were elected Modera¬ 
tor and Clerk. Received into the union the churches 
at Mill Town by letter, and Flat Rock, a new constitu¬ 
tion. The committee on the state of religion offered 
the following resolution, which was adopted: 

Resolved, That Friday before the first Sabbath in November 
next be set apart as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, 
and that w r e invite Christians of all denominations to join us in 
that service. 

Signed by David H. Payne, Chairman. Instructed the 
ministers and deacons of the body to assist the colored 
brethren who are calling for letters from the churches 
with a view to organizing churches to be composed of 
members of their own race, to go and assist and en¬ 
courage them both by their presence and counsel in every 
way possible. 

About this time it appears that John A. Davis, who 
had served the Association as their efficient Moderator 
for many years, and had been one of the most earnest 
and active Missionary ministers in the body, became 
greatly disturbed about the sisters wearing jewelry, and 

59 


more especially on the subject of Free Masonry. W. F. 
Bowers, who had served for several years as Clerk of 
the body, also entered his objections in a number of 
resolutions from the Canon Baptist Church. A com¬ 
mittee of seven, including the Moderator and Clerk, 
were appointed to investigate the letter and documents 
from the Canon Church, who after investigation reported 
that while the resolutions contained many things which 
they heartily approved, there were others which were 
objectionable, and over which the Association had no 
control. In connection with this report they also sub¬ 
mitted the following resolution: 

Resolved, That the letter with the delegates be rejected, and 
that portion of Canon Church represented by Bartlett, Hilliard 
and J. M. Brown be recognized as the Canon Church. 

These two brethren, together with a few followers, 
finally withdrew from the body, and established what 
they were pleased to call, “The Reformed Baptist 
Church/’ These little organizations have long since 
passed out of existence. 

The fiftieth anniversary of the body was held with the 
Eastanollee Church, Franklin (now Stephens) County, 
Georgia, on Sept. 13th, 1867. H. M. Barton and A. W. 
Brawner were continued as Moderator and Clerk. A 
special committee was appointed to investigate the query 
sent up from Double Branches Church, which reads as 
follows: 

“Is it according to the Gospel of Christ and consistent with 
Baptist usage to receive members into full fellowship upon a 
certificate from that party which have withdrawn from the church 
at Canon, known as the ‘reformation party’?” Answer: “No.” 

A suitable resolution was adopted upon the death of 
Francis Calloway, Jr., who was one of the leading spirits 
in the organization of the Association, and a former 
Moderator of the body, he having removed to Alabama, 
and was a citizen of that State at the time of his 
death, in 1865. 

The Domestic Mission Board, which was suspended in 
1865 upon account of the war-torn condition of the coun- 

60 


try, was revived, the Board being composed of H. F. 
Chandler, Joseph Jackson, Balis Hix, Daniel Moseley 
and J. F. Langston. 

The body convened with the church at South Union 
in Oconee County, S. C., on September 19th, 1868, in 
its fifty-first annual session. J. T. W. Vernon was the 
introductory preacher. H. M. Barton was continued 
as Moderator, and Thomas Crymes was elected Clerk. 
Letters of dismission were called for by the church at 
Currahee and Ebenezer, which were not granted, owing 
to schisms existing in the churches. Damascus, Tates 
Creek and Mt. Pleasant churches were granted letters 
of dismission. The committee on the state of religion 
emphasizes the importance of ministerial support, that 
the pastors may be relieved of manual labor and give 
their whole time to the work of the ministry. The fol¬ 
lowing resolution was offered by Rev. David H. Payne: 

Whereas, In the providence of God, there are many orphans in 
our country, made such by a devastating war. Resolved, That 
this Association recommend the churches to raise funds for the 
education of those who have been bereaved of their fathers, and 
are destitute of means to secure an education. Further, we appeal 
to the sympathy of all philanthropists. 

While this resolution was passed, candor compels the 
confession that it was always a dead letter. 

The body met at Clarks Creek Church, Franklin 
County, Georgia, in its fifty-second annual session, on 
the 17th day of September, 1869. David H. Payne 
preached the introductory sermon from Isaiah 62:1. 
H. M. Barton was chosen Moderator, and A. W. Brawner, 
Clerk. Received Nails Creek Church into the session 
and seated her delegates. Nails Creek Church was one 
of the original members in the organization of the Asso¬ 
ciation, in 1818, but there is no record of the date when 
she was dismissed from the body. Letters were granted 
at this time to the following churches: Hepzibah, Eben¬ 
ezer and Hazel Creek. 

“The Clarks Creek Church sends up a query inquiring if it 
is Gospel order for members of Baptist churches to commune with 
Pedoe Baptist Societies? And, if not, what should be done with 

61 


such members or churches holding such members V f Answer to 
the first question: “No .” 

To the second: 

“If after forbearance in kindness and brotherly love the of¬ 
fender does not refrain, that he may be excluded.” 

The committee on the state of religion emphasize the 
influence of the Sabbath School on the minds of the 
young in spreading gospel light. The churches are re¬ 
quested to adopt some systematic method of raising funds 
for the support of every religious enterprise fostered 
by the Association. Four sermons were preached on the 
Sabbath. 

The body met at New Hope Church, in Franklin 
(now Stephens) County, Georgia, September 16th, 1870. 
The introductory sermon was preached by Thomas Bur¬ 
gess. The same officers were continued. After appoint¬ 
ing the usual committees, adjourned until Saturday, 
9 a.m. The writer of these sketches was then eighteen 
years of age, and on Saturday went to the Association, 
the first he ever attended, and according to his best 
recollection the greater part of Saturday was consumed 
discussing the following query, sent in by Zebulon 
Church: 

“Is it according to the teachings of the Gospel to invite min¬ 
isters to preach in our churches who declare non-fellowship with 
our Masonic brethren V* 

After a heated discussion, answered in the negative. 
The report on the state of religion, which appears in 
the minutes, was of much greater importance, but was 
only read and adopted. The Missionary sermon was 
preached by Thos. Crymes, from Matthew 6:10, “ Thy 
Kingdom Come.” The Domestic Mission Board reports 
funds on hand at present $57.20. At the afternoon serv¬ 
ice H. M. Barton and J. G. Bryan addressed the assem¬ 
bly on the subject of Sabbath Schools. Eight of the 
churches reported Sabbath Schools, with an enrollment 
of 418 pupils. 

On September 18th, 1871, the Association met at 
62 


Pleasant Grove Church, this being the fifty-fourth an¬ 
nual session. Introductory sermon by J. G. Bryan. 
The same officers were continued. Received into the 
Union, New Bethel and Cross Roads churches, both new 
constitutions. The churches at Canon and elsewhere 
are reported as being disturbed by certain brethren call¬ 
ing themselves “reformers,” whom they charge with 
having sown the seeds of discord in a manner detri¬ 
mental to Christian love and unity. The brethren are 
requested to labor with them in a spirit of brotherly love, 
that they may be reclaimed in order that the peace 
and harmony of the brotherhood be not broken. David 
H. Payne and H. M. Barton report having traveled 
and preached ten days each. The Domestic Mission 
Board now has on hand $35.70. After the Missionary 
sermon on the Sabbath the collection taken at the stand 
amounted to $22.45. 

In 1872 the Association met with Indian Creek 
Church, September 12th, in its fifty-fifth annual session. 
The services were opened as usual by an introductory 
sermon delivered by J. G. Bryan. The same officers 
were continued. The church at Broad River, a new 
constitution, was received into the union. The church 
at Canon sends in the following query: 

“Is it according to scripture for the churches to deal with 
members for matters that have been tried and settled by the laws 
of the country V’ Answer: “It is the duty of the Church to 
discipline its members in the laws of Christ, and in doing this, 
she is not to be governed by decisions of courts of law. M 

Appropriate resolutions were passed on the death of 
Abraham Aderhold, an aged Deacon of Carnesville 
Church, and John E. Payne, a Deacon of New Hope 
Church. The Domestic Mission Board reported twelve 
days’ service by Thomas Crymes in the most destitute 
sections of the Association, and that after settlement 
they have a balance on hand of $12.34. The committee 
on Sabbath Schools report that some of the churches have 
flourishing Sabbath Schools, while others have none. 
The Missionary sermon was preached by J. H. Sullivan, 

63 


and a collection for Missions was taken amounting to 
$13.45. 

On September 19th, 1873, the Association met at 
Zebulon Church. The introductory sermon was preached 
by Jesse Brown, from John 13:35. J. H. Sullivan was 
elected Moderator, and A. W. Brawner was continued as 
Clerk. The newly-constituted church at Pleasant Hill 
was received into the union. The report of the com¬ 
mittee on the state of religion deplores the indifference 
manifested by some of the churches in regard to Sabbath 
Schools, and urges the churches to take more interest 
in this great work. 

D. H. Payne, H. M. Barton, Thomas Crymes and 
Jesse Brown have each traveled and preached to desti¬ 
tute sections under agreement with the Mission Board, 
for which service they have been paid in the aggregate 
of $56.50. The Board reports a balance on hand of 
$40.20. The churches were requested in future to send 
up in their letter the statistics of their Sabbath School. 
This was an interesting year with most of the churches, 
interest in Sunday Schools was growing, and most of 
the destitute places in the Association were being sup¬ 
plied with the gospel. People were beginning to rebuild 
their wasted fortunes and to recover in a measure from 
the effects of the war. 

In 1874 the Association met in its fifty-seventh annual 
session at Double Springs Church, in Anderson County, 
S. C., September 18th. H. M. Barton delivered the 
introductory sermon. The same officers were continued. 
The newly-constituted church at Tugalo was received 
into the union. This was an interesting session. One 
hundred ninety-two baptisms were reported. The 
churches were becoming more interested in Sabbath 
Schools. Most of the destitute places in the Association 
were being supplied with the gospel, and contributions 
for benevolence were increasing. Sixty-three dollars and 
seventy-five cents was sent up by the churches, each 
church being credited with the amount contributed. The 
Association now numbers 2,477 members. Resolved, that 
in future the afternoon session on the Sabbath at our 

64 


Association be devoted to the administration of the 
Lord’s Supper, under such arrangements as the Asso¬ 
ciation may see proper to make, and that the church 
with which the Association may meet provide the ele¬ 
ments, and the Association pay the expense of the same. 

At the session in 1875, on motion of Dr. T. G. Under¬ 
wood, the above resolution was abolished, and rightly 
so. The Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance in the 
strictest sense. Rev. S. B. Sanders delivered the intro¬ 
ductory sermon before the Association convened at 
Canon Church, in Hart County, Ga., on September 
17th, 1875. In its fifty-eighth annual session, from 
Hebrews 11: 24. The same officers were continued. The 
First Baptist Church at Toccoa was received into the 
union at this time. The report of the committee on 
the state of religion is most encouraging, setting forth 
that the churches are all at peace, taking more interest 
in Sabbath Schools, are more interested in missions, and 
that most of the churches have enjoyed interesting re¬ 
vival meetings. Two hundred four accessions by bap¬ 
tism are reported during the last associational year. 

The churches then, as now, seem to have been troubled 
with “Tiphers” and “Topers,” as will appear by the 
following resolution adopted at this session: 

Resolved, That we will withdraw membership from any church 
holding members in fellowship who are engaged or may hereafter 
engage in making or retailing ardent spirits, or using the same 
to excess. 

This resolution has never been abrogated, neither has it 
ever been enforced. 

The committee on deceased ministers and deacons re¬ 
port the death of Howel Mangum, of Nails Creek Church, 
and Lewis Aderhold, of Hunters Creek. Dr. A. W. 
Brawner, Chairman of the Domestic Mission Board, 
reports a fine showing for the Associational year. Rev. 
Wm. Kelly, who was employed by the Board, reports 
having sold books to the amount of $164.23. Whole 
number of books sold 335, and 4,000 pages of tracts sold 
and donated. A resolution was offered and unanimously 

65 


passed raising Bro. Kelly’s salary for the past year to 
$250.00, he having contracted with the Board to travel 
as Missionary and Colporteur for the sum of $200.00. 

The fifty-ninth annual session of the Association was 
held September 15th, 1876, at Liberty Hill Church, five 
miles south of Toccoa, Ga. The introductory sermon 
was delivered by T. G. Underwood, from Ephesians 
4:4-5. The same officers were continued. This was a 
memorable occasion to the writer, being the first meeting 
he ever attended as a delegate from New Bethel Church. 
Ebenezer Church was reinstated as a member of the 
body, she having been dismissed by letter and the letter 
being mislaid or lost. Rev. C. M. Irwin was present 
at this session and addressed the body on the subject of 
missions. Appointed delegates to State Baptist Con¬ 
vention. The Church at South Union was dismissed 
by letter at this session. The Domestic Mission Board 
reports eight months and five days’ service by William 
Kelly, Missionary and Colporteur, who reports books 
and tracts sold and donated to the amount $116.25, for 
which service he has been paid $160.35. The churches 
are requested to adopt some plan of raising funds for 
missions, and if possible to secure a contribution from 
every member. The delegates are requested to bring 
this subject before their churches and the pastors are in¬ 
structed to preach a special sermon on missions in No¬ 
vember next, followed by a collection, to be forwarded 
at once, stating the object for which it is given. The 
committee on deceased ministers and deacons report the 
death of W. R. P. Wilbanks, a deacon of Eastanollee. 

C. M. Irwin gave a lecture on Sabbath Schools at 
9 a.m. on Sabbath. J. J. Kimsey preached at the stand 
at 10 a.m., followed by H. M. Barton, who preached 
the missionary sermon. The Association now numbers 
25 ordained ministers and five licentiates. 

The Association convened at Reed Creek Church, Hart 
County, Ga., on the 19th of October, 1877, in its sixtieth 
annual session. After the introductory sermon by J. J. 
Wilson, the letters were read and names of delegates en- 

66 


rolled. Elected T. G. Underwood, Moderator, and re¬ 
elected A. W. Brawner, Clerk. 

The Church at South Union returned her letter which 
was granted last year, and enrolled as a member of the 
body. The Line Church was received from the Sarepta 
by letter. The corresponding messengers, I. H. Goss, 
J. H. McMullin, Benjamin Thornton and T. S. Roberts 
from the Sarepta; W. C. Wilkes from the Chattahoochee; 
Milton Hicks from the Fork; and M. McGee and Levi 
Burruss from the Saluda. 

The committee on the state of religion report coldness 
and indifference in most of the churches, very little inter¬ 
est in Sabbath Schools, pastors only paid a pittance, 
small contributions for benevolence sent up by the 
churches, and pastors excoriated for their lack of 
faithfulness in teaching their members their duty 
along these lines. The committee on deceased min¬ 
isters and deacons report the death of H. F. Chand¬ 
ler, of Beaverdam Church, S. C., Henry Brown, of 
Andersonville Church, S. C., Richardson Tribble, of 
Pleasant Grove Church, and William Stowe, of 
Eastanollee Church. 

A resolution was passed endorsing the establishment 
of a female seminary to be located at Gainesville, Ga., 
and commending W. C. Wilkes general agent for said 
seminary. 

The Domestic Mission Board report no missionaries 
have been employed, for lack of funds. 

Pursuant to adjournment, the Association met at 
Double Branches Church, Franklin County, Ga., Sept. 
13th, 1878. Introductory sermon by David H. Payne, 
from Deuteronomy 23 : 20: ‘ ‘ And he said I will hide my 
face from them, I will see what their end will be.” 
H. M. Barton was elected Moderator and A. W. Brawner 
continued as Clerk. The committee on deceased minis¬ 
ters and deacons report the death of Rev. Samuel Isbell, 
who was an active minister for about thirty years, and 
a most excellent man. Also the death of Malon Teat, 
a faithful deacon of Double Branches Church. The re¬ 
port on the state of religion is much more encouraging 

67 


than last year, 157 accessions by baptism being reported, 
and a number of churches report flourishing Sabbath 
Schools. Rev. T. G. Underwood was appointed agent 
to receive contributions for foreign missions and for¬ 
ward the same to the Board. Resolved, that in future 
the Association meet on Thursday instead of Friday. 
Discontinued the Domestic Mission Board, and appointed 
one member from each Union meeting District to direct 
the mission work in the destitute sections in the bounds 
of the Association. 

The sixty-second annual session of the body was held 
with the Nails Creek Church, Banks County, Georgia, 
September 18th, 1879. Rev. T. G. Underwood, who was 
appointed at last session, preached a close, suggestive 
and forcible sermon introductory to the business of the 
session, from John 19:30: “It is finished.” The same 
officers were continued. W. N. Chaudoin (better known 
as Uncle Shad), agent for foreign missions, was received 
in his capacity as agent. He also preached the mission¬ 
ary sermon on Sunday. The committee on deceased 
ministers and deacons report the death of Henry 
Mitchell, a faithful and efficient deacon of Clarks Creek 
Church; also Bro. Abram Merritt, who was a faithful 
deacon of Double Springs Church. 

The committee appointed at last session to arrange 
to supply the destitute sections in the bounds of the 
Association with the gospel, report that they secured 
the services of J. F. Goode, H. M. Barton and Jesse 
Brown to travel and preach in the most destitute settle¬ 
ments fifteen days each, at $1.00 per day. T. G. Un¬ 
derwood reports having forwarded to the Mission Board 
$10.35 for foreign missions. Dr. A. W. Brawner and 
Dr. T. G. Underwood, who were appointed at the last 
session to write the history of our church, each read 
the history of Double Branches and Eastanollee 
Churches, for which see under chapter of History of the 
Churches, in these sketches. 

In 1880 the Association convened with the Shoal Creek 
Church, Hart County, Ga. The introductory sermon 
was dispensed with, and H. M. Barton, pastor of the 

68 


church, preached a sermon dedicating their new church 
building which had just been completed. T. G. Under¬ 
wood was elected Moderator, and T. A. McFarland, 
Clerk. The correspondents at this session were W. B. J. 
Hardman, Moderator of the Sarepta, and J. D. Adams 
and J. H. McMullin; from the Liberty, J. C. Jackson 
and W. J. Purcell; from the Saluda, J. R. Earle. The 
Association at this session withdrew from the Georgia 
Baptist Convention, and became a member of the North 
Georgia Baptist Association. Appointed J. M. Massey, 
J. J. Wilson, W. M. Rampley, T. G. Underwood and 
J. F. Goode as representatives in that body. The Asso¬ 
ciation was called on this year to mourn the loss by 
death of two of its oldest ministers: one, Wm. Kelly, 
a most excellent man and a good preacher. He was 
intimately connected with the history of the churches 
and Association from 1850 until his death, February 
28th, 1880. The writer conducted the funeral service 
on February 29th (the fifth Sunday in February), at 
Hunters Creek, from Second Samuel 3:39: “Know ye 
not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this 
day in Israel?” after which his bodv was borne to its 
last resting place by the following preachers acting as 
pallbearers: W. M. Rampley, D. H. Payne, J. H. Sulli¬ 
van and J. F. Goode.. The other, W. R. Wellborn, was 
perhaps the oldest minister in the Association, both in 
age and service, and was a man of more than ordinary 
ability. He was both an M.D. and D.D., and was the 
author of an essay on the importance of Sabbath Schools, 
which is well entitled to a place in these sketches, but 
we must be brief. 

Regret is expressed by the committee on the State of 
Religion that contributions from the churches are so 
meagre, showing that the hearts of the members are not 
interested in the work. The report on Sabbath Schools 
is more encouraging than formerly, and the Churches 
and pastors are urged to encourage the work. After the 
Missionary sermon on the Sabbath by J. J. Wilson, 
a collection was taken, amounting to $21.90, which was 
directed to be applied to the education of W. J. Purcell, 
69 


a young minister, who is a member of the Liberty 
Association. 

The sixty-fourth session of the body was held at 
Ziden Church, Franklin County, Ga., Sept. 15, 1881. 
The introductory sermon was preached by J. F. Goode 
from First Samuel 21:1: 4 ‘Why art thou alone and no 
man with thee?” The same officers were continued. 
Webbs Creek, a new constitution, was received into the 
body at this session. The Board reports having received 
and paid out on the education of W. J. Purcell $27.90, 
as directed at the last session of this body. Sabbath 
morning the sky was overcast with clouds and the rain 
fell in torrents, accompanied by a strong East gale. 
Only a few met. David H. Payne preached the mis¬ 
sionary sermon in the house to the few who had ventured 
forth, and a collection was taken for missions amount¬ 
ing to $4.75. 

The body now has seventeen ordained preachers, nine 
licentiates, and a membership of 2,725 persons. 

The committee on deceased ministers and deacons re¬ 
port the loss by death of two of the aged and faithful 
deacons, John H. Payne, of New Bethel, and George 
Poole, of Nails Creek. They used the office of a deacon 
well. 

In 1882 the body convened with Eastanollee 
Church in its sixty-fifth annual session, on Septem¬ 
ber 14th. 

The introductory sermon was preached by L. L. 
Waldrup, of the Liberty Association. The same officers 
were re-elected, and the usual committees appointed. 
C. M. Irvin, representing the Christian Index, was wel¬ 
comed and made a forceful talk, setting forth the worth 
of a good denomination paper in the homes of our 
members. F. C. McConnell was seated as a correspond¬ 
ent from the Hiawassee Association. A collection was 
taken on the Sabbath after the Missionary sermon of 
$10.25, making a total of $21.20 to be forwarded at once 
to the Treasurer of the North Georgia Missionary Bap¬ 
tist Association, to be applied where most needed. The 
committee on deceased ministers and deacons reported 

70 


the death of Bro. John M. Massey. He was a young 
minister and greatly beloved. Also Daniel Moseley, of 
the Eastanollee Church, one of the oldest and most effi¬ 
cient deacons. The committee appointed to suggest a 
plan for raising funds for missions recommend the fol¬ 
lowing plan. Let each church appoint one of her mem¬ 
bers to solicit contributions and report the same to the 
church quarterly, to be disposed of as the church may 
direct. 

The body convened with Cross Roads Church, in Hart 
County, Ga., on Thursday before the third Sunday in 
September, 1883. There is no record whatever of this 
session, the minutes being lost. The writer being a mem¬ 
ber of the body at that time is able to give a few sketches 
from memory. The introductory sermon was preached 
by T. G. Underwood. Several churches were dismissed 
to go into the organization of the Hebron Association, 
and the body was called upon to mourn the loss of three 
of our ablest ministers, viz., David H. Payne, J. J. Wil¬ 
son and A. H. Terrell. This disconnected sketch is 
written exclusively from memory. 

The Session in 1884 was held with Middle River 
Church, Franklin County, Georgia, on the 18th of Sep¬ 
tember, this being the sixty-seventh annual session. The 
introductory sermon was delivered by G. W. Carroll, 
from Matthew 1:25. T. G. Underwood was continued 
as Moderator, and B. P. Vandiver was elected Clerk. 
At this meeting a committee was appointed on Missions, 
and also on Religious Literature, and on Education. 
The committee on the state of religion reported an up¬ 
ward tendency in all the churches. The committee on 
religious literature deplored the fact that religious liter¬ 
ature “is not being read by our members as extensively 
as it should be, ’ ’ and recommends the American Baptist 
Reflect or as being in every way worthy of our patronage. 
The committee on education recommends Mercer Uni¬ 
versity, at Macon, Ga., for young ministers, and the 
Gainesville Female Seminary, located at Gainesville, Ga., 
for young ladies. The missionary sermon was preached 
at eleven o’clock on the Sabbath by T. G. Underwood, 
71 


and a collection for foreign missions amounting to $11.15 
was taken. 

The next annual session of the body was held at Broad 
River Church, in Franklin County, Ga., on September 
17th, 1885, this being the sixty-eighth meeting. The 
time appears to have been largely occupied with the cor¬ 
respondence of the various Associations, and discussing 
the reports of the following committees: Religious Liter¬ 
ature, Missions, State of Religion and Sabbath Schools. 
The Treasurer reports in his hands $17.45, which he is 
instructed by the body to forward to the Treasurer of 
the Foreign Mission Board. On the Sabbath, owing to 
the inclemency of the weather, no service was held. 

The body convened in 1886 with the church at Poplar 
Springs, on September 17th, this being the sixty-ninth 
annual session. The introductory sermon was preached 
by W. W. Stowe. J. F. Goode was elected Moderator, 
and B. P. Vandiver, Clerk. The vacancies in our minis¬ 
terial ranks had been filled by P. F. Crawford, J. L. D. 
Hillyer and by the ordination two years ago of W. W. 
Stowe and G. F. Fuller. Harry Hatcher, representing 
the American Baptist Publication Society, was present. 
S. Y. Jameson, who later was President of Mercer Uni¬ 
versity, was also a visitor. These brethren increased the 
interest by their presence and counsel. Well written re¬ 
ports on the various objects of benevolence fostered by 
the Association were presented and thoroughly discussed 
by Jameson, Hatcher, and a number of others. The re¬ 
ports all bore corroborative evidence of the growing 
interest in the benevolent work of the Association. The 
speeches were able and instructive, and were listened 
to with a great deal of interest. The committee on de¬ 
ceased ministers and deacons reported the death of Rev. 
J. Heaton, a most noble man and a good preacher. After 
the missionary sermon on the Sabbath by W. J. Pur¬ 
cell, a collection was taken for foreign missions, and 
realized $40.15. 

The next annual session convened with New Bethel 
Church on the 18th day of September, 1887, this being 
the seventieth session. The introductory sermon was de- 

72 


livered by Jesse Brown, from Luke 22: 32. The newly 
constituted church at Liberty was received into the union 
at this time. 

The reports of the various committees were ably dis¬ 
cussed by R. D. Hawkins, A. F. Underwood, S. Y. Jame¬ 
son and others. A spirit of brotherly love and general 
good feeling pervaded the whole meeting. When the 
usual claims were presented they met with a hearty 
response from all present. After appropriate remarks 
by T. G. Underwood, the Moderator, adjourned. 

T. G. Underwood, Moderator. 

T. A. McFarland, Clerk. 

On September 13th, 1888, the introductory sermon 
was delivered before the body at Ebenezer Church, by 
J. F. Goode, from 1st Timothy 1:11. The same officers 
were reelected. We welcomed to our assistance at this 
meeting from abroad W. G. Manley, representing the 
claims of Mercer University. A. W. Van Hoose, Presi¬ 
dent of the Gainesville Female Seminary, representing 
the claims of that Institution, and C. M. Irvin, repre¬ 
senting the Christian Index. The Association was asked 
to pledge $100.00 for Missions for the next year, which 
was heartily acceded to. The report on Missions was 
ably discussed by S. Y. Jameson. The new Carnesville 
Baptist Church, and the Baptist Church at Lavonia, two 
new constitutions, were received into the union at this 
session. The Association was called on this year to 
mourn the loss by death of Henry Wood, one of its oldest 
ministers. He was a good preacher and most excellent 
man. After appropriate remarks by the Moderator, 
singing and prayer by R. D. Hawkins, adjourned. Owing 
to the inclemency of the weather, no service was held 
on the Sabbath. 

In 1889 the Association convened with Clarks Creek 
Church in its seventy-second annual session, on Septem¬ 
ber 12th. T. G. Underwood was continued as Modera¬ 
tor, and T. B. Bonner was elected Clerk. The newly- 
constituted church at Hannahs Creek was received into 
the union at this session. C. M. Irvin was present, 
73 


representing the Christian Index and speaking a good 
word for kind works. Distinguished visitors from abroad 
were conspicuous by their absence, which brought forth 
the best that was in our home force. The report on 
missions, education, temperance, state or religion, re¬ 
ligious literature and Sabbath Schools were ably dis¬ 
cussed by P. S. Whitman, D.D. (a host in himself), 
P. F. Crawford, C. T. Burgess and others. The $100.00 
pledged at last session to missions had been paid and 
$120.00 for missions was pledged for the next Assoeia- 
tional year. This was a very harmonious meeting, and 
was attended by immense crowds. P. F. Crawford 
preached the Missionary Sermon on Sunday, and a 
collection was taken for Missions, but the minutes are 
silent as to the amount realized. 

The introductory sermon was delivered by W. J. 
Purcell before the body at Hunters Creek Church in 
its seventy-third annual session, September 18th, 1890, 
from Ephesians 5: 27. T. G. Underwood was continued 
as Moderator, and T. C. Hayes was elected Clerk. The 
usual committees were appointed and their reports were 
well prepared and somewhat lengthy. The distinguished 
visitors from abroad were A. J. Kelly, from the Sarepta, 
representing the Christian Index, and F. C. McConnell, 
from the Chattahoochee, who preached at eleven a. m. 
on Saturday. A motion was made to change the time 
of meeting of the body from Thursday to Tuesday. 
This question had been agitated for several years but 
a decided majority had always opposed the change. The 
question now being brought before the body, the Mod¬ 
erator threw all of his great influence against the change. 
The writer of these sketches, believing that the change 
would be for the best, called the attention of the body 
to the fact that the Association was a business meeting, 
and ought to meet during the week and transact the 
business and let the preachers return to their respective 
charges on Sunday. When the vote was taken a decided 
majority voted for the change. Since that time the 
body has always met on Tuesday. Owing to the in¬ 
clement weather, very few met on Sunday. J. F. Goode 
74 


preached the Missionary sermon, and took a collection 
amounting to $5.00. 

The meeting in 1891 was held with the church at New 
Hope, this being the seventy-fourth annual session. In¬ 
troductory sermon by E. P. Stone. T. G. Underwood, 
the Moderator, being absent, the body was organized by 
electing J. F. Goode, Moderator, and T. A. McFarland, 
Clerk. All subjects of interest to the body were dis¬ 
cussed in order by H. Hatcher, A. J. Kelly, F. C. Mc¬ 
Connell and S. Y. Jameson, distinguished visitors from 
other Associations. After hearing the claims of the 
Baptist Orphans’ Home (then in its infancy), took a 
collection for the same, amounting to $5.25. An in¬ 
creasing interest in the work on all lines appears to be 
manifest from the various reports. P. F. Crawford was 
elected as delegate to the S. B. C. Delegates were also 
appointed to the State Baptist Convention and to the 
North Georgia Baptist Association. The missionary ser¬ 
mon was preached by C. T. Burgess, after which a col¬ 
lection was taken, amounting to $5.61. 

The seventy-fifth meeting of the body was with Pleas¬ 
ant Grove Church, on Tuesday after the second Sunday 
in September, 1892 (Sept. 13th.) J. G. Gibson, D.D., 
of the Sarepta, preached the introductory sermon. Text, 
Luke 2:48. The Moderator being absent on account of 
sickness, the body was called to order by the Clerk. A. E. 
Keese was elected Moderator, and W. A. Mitchell, Clerk. 
Dr. J. G. Gibson, Corresponding Secretary and Treas¬ 
urer of the State Mission Board, and A. C. Ward, travel¬ 
ing agent for the Christian Index, were received in their 
official capacity. The various reports were encouraging, 
and were ably discussed by A. C. Ward and a number 
of our own ministers. Dr. Gibson addressed the body 
on the subject of missions, and took a collection for in¬ 
digent ministers. 

Since the last meeting of the body two of our aged 
deacons have passed away, M. W. Gillespie, of Indian 
Creek Church, and Jeremiah Cleveland, of Red Hollow. 
Dr. T. G. Underwood made a few feeling remarks upon 
the life and faithfulness of these two noble men. The 
75 


Treasurer reported having received and paid out for 
missions $86.38. Seventeen of the churches report flour¬ 
ishing Sunday Schools, and contributions amounting to 
$110.24, which added together makes an aggregate of 
$196.62. 

The body convened in its seventy-sixth annual session 
with Hudson River Church, September 12th, 1893. 

The introductory sermon was preached by J. F. Goode. 
T. G. Underwood was elected Moderator, and W. A. 
Mitchell, Clerk. The report on Missions submitted by 
Alex E. Keese shows that contributions for all pur¬ 
poses amount to $1228.00. Discussed by J. P. Osborn, 
Corresponding Secretary of N. G. B. A., C. T. Burgess 
and others. The reports of the various committees show 
a marked upward tendency in religious work. Seven¬ 
teen churches report Sabbath Schools, with an enroll¬ 
ment of 1402 pupils, and contributions amounting to 
$86.89. At this session the sum of $75.00 was raised 
for the purpose of putting a tombstone at the grave 
of Rev. Wm. Kelly, at Hunters Creek Church, and a 
committee appointed to contract for and superintend 
the work, which obligation the committee discharged a 
few days thereafter. The body now has nineteen or¬ 
dained ministers, eleven licentiates, a membership of 
3581 persons, and 277 members received by baptism 
during the last Associational year. 

On the 11th day of September, 1894, the body met 
for its seventy-seventh annual session with the Tugalo 
Church. Introductory sermon by C. T. Burgess. T. G. 
Underwood, the Moderator, being absent on account of 
serious sickness, the body was called to order by the 
Clerk. Permanent organization was effected by the 
election of J. F. Goode, Moderator, and W. A. Mitchell, 
Clerk. The usual committees were appointed and made 
their reports, which were all very brief, and very briefly 
discussed. The body was not honored at this session 
with many visitors. 

This was rather a dull meeting; the deep spiritual 
interest usually manifested on such occasions was almost 
entirely wanting. It does appear, however, that the 

76 


churches have not been idle, contributions for benevo¬ 
lence amounted to $493.76. Nearly every church has 
made a decided increase in their pastor’s salary. 

The body was called upon to mourn the loss of one 
of her oldest preachers, and one of the very best of 
men, Rev. W. H. Ariail, of Nails Creek Church. Rev. 
G. W. Carroll preached the missionary sermon, but if 
there was a collection taken for missions according to 
the usual custom, it is not mentioned in the minutes. 

The body assembled in its seventy-eighth annual ses¬ 
sion on the 10th day of September, 1895, at Pleasant 
Hill. Introductory sermon by C. T. Burgess. Re-elected 
J. F. Goode, Moderator, and W. A. Mitchell, Clerk. 
The reports of the various committees were really en¬ 
couraging, showing an ever-growing interest in Missions, 
Sabbath Schools, Temperance, Religious Literature, and 
the report on education was superb. The statistics show 
contributions for all purposes to be $1679.50. 

The Association at this time was composed of thirty 
churches, and has since received nine others into the 
union. She embraces, however, practically the same 
territory as she did then, being confined mainly to 
Franklin and Stephens Counties, with three churches 
in Banks County, on the extreme southwest. 

On the 15th day of September, 1896, the delegates 
from the various churches composing the body assembled 
at Nails Creek in the seventy-ninth annual session. Nails 
Creek, according to the best information obtainable, was 
constituted on the 13th day of February, 1787, and 
has wielded a wonderful influence for good. She was 
one of the churches that went into the organization of 
the body in 1818, and though she is located on the 
extreme west of the Association, the crowds who gath¬ 
ered were overwhelming. After the introductory sermon 
by T. G. Underwood, elected C. T. Burgess, Moderator, 
and G. F. Fuller, Clerk. The reports on Education, 
Temperance, Missions, Sabbath Schools, Religious Litera¬ 
ture and the State of Religion were all well prepared 
and forcibly discussed by Dr. J. F. Edens, who was 
present representing the Christian Index, Dr. A. F. 
77 


Underwood, correspondent from the Clarksville Associa¬ 
tion, R. D. Hawkins and Dr. B. D. Ragsdale. Amount 
sent up for missions, including contributions from the 
Sabbath Schools, $325.20. 

Rev. M. E. Porter, one of our noble young ministers, 
has been called home, also Rev. W. W. Rampley, of 
New Carnesville Church, and Deacons Samuel White, 
of Pleasant Grove, and E. L. Goode, of Toccoa Church. 
Several of the brethren spoke feelingly of the solid worth 
of these preachers and deacons. 

On September 14th, 1897, the Association met in its 
eightieth annual session with Broad River Church. In¬ 
troductory sermon by C. T. Burgess. Re-elected C. T. 
Burgess and G. F. Fuller Moderator and Clerk. The dis¬ 
tinguished visitors present were John G. Gibson, a host 
in himself, was received in his official capacity as Secre¬ 
tary and Treasurer of the State Mission Board, and 
John F. Edens, representing the Christian Index. One 
hour and thirty minutes was voted Dr. Gibson to address 
the body. His address was such as only Gibson could 
deliver. He showed how Baptists were lengthening their 
cords and strengthening their stakes, dotting the home¬ 
land with churches, planting out-posts and stations all 
along the frontiers, and pushing their conquest even 
to the very center of the most benighted heathen lands, 
the battle-cry ringing all the while in unmistakable 
tones, “Onward to the uttermost parts of the earth.” 
W. S. White, one of the aged deacons of Eastanollee 
Church, and also a licensed preacher, has been called 
home since last session of the body. This was a very 
harmonious and profitable session. 

On October 11th, 1898, the Association met at Double 
Branch Church. The introductory sermon was preached 
by R. H. Smith. W. J. Purcell was elected Moderator, 
and C. L. Mize, Clerk. Dr. Joe Winn and R. H. Smith 
were seated as visitors, and Dr. Winn enlivened the 
interest by his wit, as well as by his impressive speeches 
on the report on Missions and Temperance. The report 
on Sabbath Schools states that every church composing 
the body except one has an interesting Sabbath School. 

78 


One of the deacons, Samuel G. Porter, of Broad River 
Church, has been called home. He was a good man and 
used the office of a deacon well. The Finance Committee 
makes an earnest request of the churches to send up the 
amount contributed by them to the Association, much 
more being contributed by the churches than they get 
credit for in the financial report. Dr. Winn preached 
on the “Person and work of the Holy Spirit/’ from 
Ephesians 4:3: “ And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God 
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” 
The Missionary sermon was preached by G. W. Carroll, 
and a collection of $9.10 realized. 

W. J. Purcell, Moderator. 

C. L. Mize, Clerk. 

The Association next met with the Carnesville Church, 
on September 12th, 1899, in its eighty-second annual 
session. After the introductory sermon by R. D. Haw¬ 
kins, organized the body by electing the same officers 
as of last year. This church being centrally located 
and in a good community, the crowds were immense, 
and the hospitality abundant. The report on Missions 
by R. D. Hawkins and on Education by Fermor Bar¬ 
rett, were well prepared, and are each worthy of a 
place in full in this history, but space forbids. The 
committee on Deceased Ministers made a very touching 
report on the death of Dr. T. G. Underwood, which 
will appear in Biographical Sketches in this history. A 
resolution was passed that a Committee on Woman’s 
Work and B. Y. P. U. be added to the standing com¬ 
mittees. The effort made at this session to establish a 
Baptist High School at Carnesville caused so much strife 
and confusion, ending in complete failure, that we prefer 
to pass it by without comment. 

The missionary sermon was preached by S. Y. Jame¬ 
son, and a masterly sermon it was. A collection was 
then taken for indigent ministers, amounting to $32.37. 

The Association met in 1900 with the Baptist Church 
at Toccoa, on September 11th, in its eighty-third annual 
session. C. T. Burgess was the introductory preacher. 

79 


The same officers were continued. The report on B. Y. 
P. U. by A. L. Fricks was elaborate and superb, which 
when taken in connection with the report of J. L. Fields 
on Woman’s Work is practically all that the minutes 
contain of any great importance. The minutes are 
filled with reports of committees in the interest of the 
High School at Carnesville, briefly referred to in the 
account given in the minute of last year, which could 
be of no interest to the reader. This school will not be 
referred to again in these sketches. 

The Tugalo was the second Association in Georgia to 
perfect an Associational B. Y. P. U., July 23rd, 1915, 
the Chattahoochee having perfected a like organization 
on July 9th of the same year. Thus it is manifest that 
the Chattahoochee was the first to organize an Asso¬ 
ciational B. Y. P. U., and the Tugalo the second. 

The eighty-fourth annual session of the Association 
was held on September 10th, 1901, at Red Hollow Church, 
Martin, Ga. The introductory sermon was delivered by 
W. J. Purcell, from John 13:1. The same officers were 
again elected. This was a solid meeting. The reports 
were never more encouraging, nor the outlook brighter. 
The report on Temperance was followed by remarks 
by C. T. Burgess, E. P. Stone and J. A. Porter. The 
report on Woman’s Work was read by P. F. Crawford 
and spoken to by G. J. Davis. The report on B. Y. P. U. 
was read by L. D. Dale, and spoken to by S. A. Porter, 
A. L. Fricks and A. Terrell. The report on Missions 
read by J. F. Goode was discussed by S. Y. Jameson, 
E. L. Sisk and B. F. Camp. The report on education 
by Lee K. Parham was adopted without being discussed. 

Death has invaded our ranks and taken from us dur¬ 
ing the last Associational year, S. W. Mosely, of Easta- 
nollee Church, and Dr. L. K. Burruss, of Carnesville 
Church, both licensed preachers, and Deacons G. R. 
Brown, of Clarks Creek Church, and E. M. Poole, of 
Nails Creek Church. After singing “In the Sweet Bye 
and Bye,” and prayer by L. B. Norton, adjourned. 

On September 16th, 1902, the Association convened 
at Middle River. This was the eighty-fifth annual ses- 

80 


sion. Most of the delegates were present from all the 
churches to hear the introductory sermon, preached by 
W. W. Stowe, from Titus 3:1. A resolution was passed 
at this time to appoint the chairman of each committee 
for the next meeting of the body. The subject of 
Sunday Schools was strongly enforced by earnest 
speeches from M. M. Riley and C. T. Burgess. Missions 
elicited good speeches from R. D. Hawkins and M. M. 
Riley. The reports on B. Y. P. U. and Woman’s Work 
were adopted after able and earnest speeches by L. K. 
Parham and C. T. Burgess. Religious literature was 
championed by R. D. Hawkins. The financial report 
shows that $419.21 had been contributed for benevolence 
during the Associational year. The missionary sermon 
was preached by M. M. Riley, D.D., and the usual col¬ 
lection taken. The evening session was taken up with 
miscellaneous business. Adjourned. 

W. J. Purcell, Moderator. 

C. L. Mize, Clerk. 

The body convened with the Liberty Hill Church on 
the 15th day of September, 1903, in its eighty-sixth an¬ 
nual session. P. F. Crawford was the introductory 
preacher. The same officers were continued. A reso¬ 
lution was submitted by P. F. Crawford, and unani¬ 
mously passed, declaring that no church shall be eligible 
to membership in this body that received alien immersed 
persons into its membership. The report of the com¬ 
mittee on Orphans’ Home made a strong plea for the 
orphans, and after an impassioned speech by G. W. 
Carroll, Sr., took a collection for the orphans, amounting 
to $15.83. The report on Woman’s Work and B. Y. P. U. 
are both encouraging and uplifting, showing marked 
progress. The report on Religious Literature was spoken 
to by B. J. W. Graham, setting forth the value of re¬ 
ligious literature in the home. The committee on de¬ 
ceased Ministers and Deacons report the death of B. P. 
Vandiver, an aged deacon of Broad River Church. The 
report on missions shows that the Foreign Mission Board 
has received $25,000.00 over any previous year. Also, 

81 


that Home and State Boards have enjoyed like pros¬ 
perity, both as to contributions and work done. The 
report on temperance was able and timely, and discussed 
by L. K. Parham and others. The body now numbers 33 
churches, with a total membership of 4670 persons, and 
235 accessions by baptism during the Associational year. 

The body convened in 1904 in its eighty-seventh an¬ 
nual session with Lavonia Baptist Church, on October 
4th, 1904. Introductory sermon by L. K. Parham. Re¬ 
elected W. J. Purcell and C. L. Mize Moderator and 
Clerk. This session was favored with the presence of 
S. Y. Jameson, Corresponding Secretary of the State 
Mission Board, M. M. Riley, J. J. Kimsey, R. Merritt 
and others. 

The reports of the various committees were brief, and 
were discussed at considerable length by S. Y. Jameson, 
M. M. Riley and others. Agreed to contribute $1000.00 
for missions next year. A spirit of brotherly love and 
general good feeling pervaded the whole meeting. The 
claims of all benevolent enterprises fostered by the body 
were presented and met with a hearty response. “ Be¬ 
hold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to 
dwell together in unity /’ 

For a number of years the churches have been re¬ 
moving their old dilapidated log buildings, and investing 
in more commodious framed and ceiled buildings, 
equipped with stoves for heating, and organs as an 
accompaniment to the vocal music. From this time 
onward contributions for missions and general benevo¬ 
lence increased beyond the expectations of the most 
sanguine. 

The body convened September 12th, 1905, at Indian 
Creek Church, this being the eighty-eighth annual ses¬ 
sion. J. F. Goode was the introductory preacher. The 
same officers were continued. A number of able min¬ 
isters were present from abroad to add interest to the 
deliberations of the body. J. A. Wynn, Moderator 
of the Chattahoochee Association, was present repre¬ 
senting missions, L. T. Weldon representing the Christian 
Index, R. D. Hawkins from the Liberty, and C. A. 

82 


Strickland from the Sarepta. The reports of commit¬ 
tees were well prepared and ably discussed by the 
brethren from abroad and also by our own ministers. 
J. A. Wynn preached the missionary sermon as only he 
could preach. The delegates in the house made up a 
purse of $13.00 for that veteran preacher, L. B. Norton. 
The body is called to mourn the loss of Rev. G. W. 
Carroll, Sr., since last Association. Also, Bro. M. M. 
McMurray, an aged and efficient deacon of Red Hollow 
Church. 

According to previous appointment the Association 
met in 1906 at Eastanollee Church, in its eighty-eighth 
annual session, on Sept. 11th. Introductory sermon by 
W. W. Stowe. Organized by re-electing W. J. Purcell 
and C. L. Mize Moderator and Clerk. Among the 
messengers present from corresponding Associations, we 
notice the following names: M. M. Riley, from the 
Chattahoochee, R. B. Seales, representing the Christian 
Index, and J. J. Bennett, Secretary of the State Mission 
Board. Irregularities being reported existing in the 
Second Baptist Church at Toccoa, appointed a commit¬ 
tee to investigate the same and report tomorrow morn¬ 
ing. The committee reported that the church had re¬ 
ceived into fellowship a number who had not been scrip- 
turally baptized, and that a number of the members 
were dissatisfied. Also recommended that a committee 
be appointed to visit the church, investigate the case, 
and report to the next meeting of this body. Able and 
interesting speeches were made by Col. Fermor Barrett 
to the report on Missions and Rev. C. T. Burgess of 
our own body as well as by M. M. Riley and J. J. 
Bennett, who spoke to the report on Missions. The 
various reports show remarkable advances along all 
lines of Christian endeavor. A general upward tendency 
is apparent. The death of Bro. John A. Porter, a deacon 
of Liberty Hill Church, was reported. He was a young 
man of sterling worth. 

We find the body convened in 1907 at New Camesville 
Church in its ninetieth annual session, on September 
10th. After the introductory sermon by W. J. Purcell, 
83 


heard the report of the committee appointed at last ses¬ 
sion to investigate irregularities in the Second Baptist 
Church at Toccoa, as follows: 

The trouble has been removed by the expulsion of the majority 
who advocated alien immersion, the minority have called a pastor, 
and the church is now in a prosperous condition. 

The same officers were continued. The reports of 
the various committees were well prepared and some¬ 
what elaborate, and were ably discussed. The visiting 
brethren were G. W. Andrews, Sunday School Evangel¬ 
ist, M. M. Riley, of Gainesville, T. J. Rucker, from 
the Hebron, A. J. Johnson, from the Liberty, and R. B. 
Seales, representing the Christian Index. Three of our 
deacons have been called home since our last meeting: 
J. B. Aderhold, of Carnesville Church, W. D. Harber, 
of Indian Creek, and Kimsey Segars, of New Bethel. 
A deep feeling pervaded the Association, and the ven¬ 
erable L. B. Norton led in a fervent prayer to God 
for His direction and blessing. 

The Association held its ninety-first session with the 
Hunters Creek Church, September 5th, 1908, with C. T. 
Burgess, Moderator, and W. A. Mitchell, Clerk. Intro¬ 
ductory sermon by B. J. W. Graham, editor of the 
Christian Index. The reports on Missions, Temperance, 
B. Y. P. U. and Woman’s Work were discussed with 
great earnestness by the brethren. The delegates were 
requested to continue to lay the cause of Missions before 
the churches and insist on increased contributions. Death 
has again invaded the ranks of the body and claimed four 
of our deacons: T. C. Lecroy, of Indian Creek, W. J. 
Burgess and Jerry Ward, of Nails Creek, and S. W. 
Whitlow, of Double Branches. After the Missionary 
sermon by J. J. Kimsey, took a collection for Missions, 
amounting to $38.36. 

The Association held its ninety-second session with 
the Mullins Ford Church, September 14th, 1909. J. J. 
Bennett, Corresponding Secretary of the State Mission 
Board, was the introductory preacher. The same offi¬ 
cers were continued. Owing to an almost incessant down- 
84 


pour of rain this session was slimly attended, and the 
reports of the various committees were read and adopted 
with very brief remarks. This was the first session ever 
held when the body adjourned on the evening of the 
second day. The Missionary sermon was preached by 
the writer, and a collection taken for Missions amount¬ 
ing to $9.68. After a song and prayer by G. W. Wel¬ 
don, adjourned. 

The following year, 1910, the body convened with 
Clarks Creek Church in its ninety-third annual session. 
After the usual introductory sermon delivered by H. F. 
Stovall, elected C. T. Burgess, Moderator, and W. A. 
Mitchell, Clerk. The distinguished visitors present at 
this session were M. M. Riley, R. D. Hawkins, C. T. 
Brown, from the Chattahoochee, F. L. Malory from 
Macon, representing the laymen’s work in the State, and 
A. J. Johnson from the Liberty. A fund of $85.00 
was raised to defray tuition and other expenses of Rev. 
T. W. Holcomb, while in school at Toccoa. Deacons 
H. J. Walker, of Zebulon, and W. M. Littleton, of 
Pleasant Hill, have been called home since our last 
Association. 

The reports of the various committees were read, and 
after able discussions by a number of brethren were 
adopted. It would be interesting and profitable to give 
these reports a place in these sketches, but space forbids. 
The Missionary sermon was preached by A. J. Johnson to 
an immense multitude. After a song and prayer by 
L. B. Norton, adjourned. 

The body convened in its ninety-fourth annual session 
with the church at Nails Creek, September 12th, 1911. 
The introductory sermon was preached by W. L. James. 
The same officers were continued. This was an interest¬ 
ing session. The social feature and royal entertainment 
will ever be remembered by all who were there, but the 
most interesting of all was the reports of the various 
committees showing the wonderful advancement over 
previous years. Contributions for the Associational 
year, for State Missions, $292.98; Home Missions, 
$980.11; Foreign Missions, $463.11; Visiting Ministers, 
85 


$482.28; Orphans, $321.71; Ministerial Relief, $59.22; 
Ministerial Education, $125.71; making a total of 
$2725.94. The report on Woman’s Work shows con¬ 
tributions amounting to $1169.51, which makes a grand 
total of $2885.45. 

The Association at this session was composed of 36 
churches, and 27 of the churches report Sabbath Schools 
with an enrollment of 2349 pupils and 201 officers and 
teachers; 349 accessions by baptism, a total membership 
of 5863 persons, and 16 ordained ministers. New Hope 
Church reports the death of Daniel Fulbright, a good 
man and faithful deacon. 

The ninety-fourth session of the Association was held 
with Ebenezer Church, September 10th, 1912. Intro¬ 
ductory sermon by C. T. Burgess. After enrolling the 
names of delegates went into permanent organization, 
and re-elected C. T. Burgess, Moderator, and W. A. 
Mitchell, Clerk. The reports show an increase in con¬ 
tributions during the last Associational year for all 
purposes of $686.54. A resolution was offered and passed 
that in the future we only have a report on Christian 
Education. This resolution in the main has been ignored 
and justly so. The rural schools is the place where 
nine-tenths of the growing children will receive their 
only literary training, and they ought to be, and will be, 
remembered in our reports on Education. The com¬ 
mittee on Deceased Ministers and Deacons report the 
death of three deacons of Middle River Church, viz.: 
D. B. Hall, J. S. Spears and T. C. Phillips. Also, H. I. 
Collins, of Eastanollee Church. The reports of the 
various committees were well prepared and breathed a 
spirit of determination to be more active in the service 
of the Master, while breathing a spirit of thankfulness 
for what we have already been able to accomplish. 

The Association met at Pleasant Grove Church in its 
ninety-sixth annual session, September 16th, 1913. H. F. 
Stovall was the introductory preacher. C. T. Brown 
was elected Moderator, and D. S. Wommack, Clerk. 
The deliberations of the body were spirited and inter¬ 
esting. The reports show that during the past year 
86 


contributions for all benevolent enterprises fostered by 
the body amount to $3690.99; for building and repairs 
and other objects $1539.99, making a total of $5230.98. 
The contributions made through the women’s societies 
were $827.81, aggregating a grand total of $6058.79. 

The visitors present at this session were J. Fred Eden, 
Jr., of Appalachee Association, formerly a member of 
the body, and John T. Baxter, representing the Christian 
Index. Elected P. F. Crawford delegate to the Southern 
Baptist Convention, G. W. Weldon, S. M. Ayers, W. J. 
Purcell and C. T. Brown delegates to the Georgia Bap¬ 
tist Convention. 

On September 15th, 1914, the Association met at 
Hudson River, this being the ninety-seventh annual 
session. The introductory sermon was preached by Dr. 

C. J. Thompson, representing the Foreign Mission Board. 
The same officers were continued. The newly-constituted 
church at Toms Creek was received into the union at 
this session. Dr. C. J. Thompson, Field Secretary of the 
Foreign Mission Board, Dr. A. C. Cree, Enlistment 
Secretary of the Home Board, Dr. Gilbert Dobbs and 
H. E. Hardman, from the Sarepta, from the Hebron, 
S. M. Bobo and H. W. Bruce, from the Liberty, W. S. 
Wilbanks, took their seats as corresponding messengers. 
According to the reports submitted and read by the 
chairman of the various committees, every religious 
enterprise fostered by the Association is being cared 
for, and the statistics show a small increase in con¬ 
tributions to each object, but the thundering of cannon 
is heard across the wide waters, the farmers are be¬ 
ginning to put the first cotton of the present crop on 
the market. The price has already declined from four¬ 
teen to about eight cents. Our loyalty to the Master’s 
cause is about to be tested. 

The body met with New Hope Church in its ninety- 
eighth annual session, September 14th, 1915. The intro¬ 
ductory sermon was delivered by Dr. F. C. McConnell, 
of Atlanta. W. J. Purcell was elected Moderator, and 

D. S. Wommack, Clerk. A. C. Cree, Corresponding 
Secretary of the State Mission Board, made an earnest 

87 


talk, giving an account of his stewardship and setting 
forth the problems of the Board. F. C. McConnell made 
a lengthy and impassioned speech setting forth the vari¬ 
ous problems of every religious enterprise fostered by 
the body. Although the reports had not been read, they 
were all ably discussed. At the close of his address, the 
Moderator extended him the thanks of the Association. 
The reports were well prepared and breathed a spirit 
of earnestness, but the spirit of the meeting was not 
altogether as our sessions in the past, contributions had 
fallen off and some of the speakers so far forgot them¬ 
selves as to charge selfishness and covetousness as the 
cause. When will Christians learn to cultivate a spirit 
of forbearance one toward another? “Why judgest thou 
thy brother, or why settest thy brother at nought.’ ’ The 
farmer had received only six cents for his 1914 crop, 
and the crop for this year has not been harvested, and 
this was the real cause for reduced contributions. 

In 1916 the Association met with the Lavonia Church, 
September 12th, in its ninety-ninth annual session. 
A. W. Bussey was the introductory preacher. A. W. 
Bussey was elected Moderator, and D. S. Wommack 
was continued as Clerk. S. M. Bobo and L. T. Weldon, 
from the Hebron, J. M. Long, representing the Georgia 
Baptist Hospital, A. C. Cree, Corresponding Secretary 
of the State Mission Board, and Emmett Stephens, from 
Ping Tu Shan Tung Province, China, were invited to 
seats. J. M. Long gave a brief talk, setting forth the 
work and needs of the Hospital. Contributions were about 
the same as last year. Four hundred and thirty-nine 
accessions by baptism were reported. All the subjects 
of most interest to the Association were discussed with 
fervor. The Missionary sermon was preached by Mis¬ 
sionary S. Emmett Stephens, after which a collection 
was taken for State Missions, amounting to $23.40. This 
was an interesting and profitable session. 

The body convened in its one hundredth annual ses¬ 
sion with Webbs Creek Church, September 11th, 1917. 
Introductory sermon by W. J. Purcell. Claude Bond 
was elected Moderator, and D. S. Wommack, Clerk. 

88 


Fairview, a newly-constituted church, was received into 
the Union at this session. The reports of the various 
committees were well written and forcibly discussed. The 
committee takes high ground with respect to temperance. 
Statistics show that for benevolence for all purposes 
the aggregate was $344.01. Of this amount, $1098.97 
was contributed by the “Woman’s Missionary Union 
Auxiliary to the Association.” 

The one hundredth session of the Tugalo Association, 
which by many was considered to be the most spiritual 
in many years, adjourned. 

In 1918 the body met at Poplar Springs Church in 
its one hundred and first annual session, September 
10th. After the introductory sermon by A. F. O’Kelly, 
re-elected Claude Bond, Moderator, and D. S. Wommack, 
Clerk. George W. Andrews, representing the Sunday 
School Board, gave an interesting talk, presenting the 
work of his department, and some of the needs of the 
Sunday Schools. Arch C. Creek, Corresponding Secre¬ 
tary of the State Mission Board, addressed the body on 
the work of the State Board. The reports of the vari¬ 
ous committees were lengthy, well prepared and ably 
discussed. These reports would be read with interest 
could they be given in full, but for the sake of brevity 
we pass them by with this brief mention: The statistics 
show that contributions for benevolence for all objects 
fostered by the body amounted to $7637.00; of this 
amount the “Woman’s Missionary Union” had con¬ 
tributed $2247.22. The Association having been organ¬ 
ized at Poplar Springs Church in 1818, and this being 
the Centennial of the body, a brief history of the Asso¬ 
ciation was read before the body, also an abridged history 
of the church from its organization in 1813 to the present 
date, September 10th, 1918. 

We here give the amounts contributed for the Associa- 
tional year for all purposes: Pastors’ salaries, $7711.75; 
building and repairing, $18,344.17; Clerk and printing 
minutes, $137.29; other objects, $3100.92; State Mis¬ 
sions, $1707.44; Home Missions, $1247.94; Foreign Mis¬ 
sions, $2063.88; Orphans’ Home, $914.33; Ministerial 
89 


Relief, $207.08; Georgia Baptist Hospital, $591.58; 
Schools and Colleges, $358.59; Ministerial Education, 
$175.27; other objects, $368.89; making a grand total 
of $36,921.33. 

Thus closes a profitable and encouraging year’s work, 
with interest still deepening and broadening, while the 
work continues to enlarge, and the fields widen out be¬ 
fore us on every hand. 

We have now traced the Association through a period 
of one hundred years, and we trust that a careful 
perusal of its history will stimulate us to greater activity 
in the Master’s work than ever before. Two of our 
ministers have been called home since the last meeting 
of the body, one, Rev. James Porter, of Mullins Ford. 
Bro. Porter had been sorely afflicted for several years; 
he bore his afflictions with Christian fortitude. The 
other, C. K. Parham, of Lavonia Church. He was a 
good man and safe counselor. Also, the following 
deacons: Larkin Fowler, of Rice Creek, G. C. Maxwell, 
of Fairview, and W. C. Taylor, of Liberty Hill. These 
were all good and worthy men. 

The one hundred and second session of the Associa¬ 
tion was held with the church at Eastanollee, September 
16th, 1919. Organization was perfected by the election 
of T. B. Bonner, Moderator, and D. S. Wommack, 
Clerk. The body was honored at this session with quite 
a number of distinguished visitors: From the Hebron, 
Col. J. H. Skelton, I. J. Phillips, Revs. T. J. Rucker 
and G. J. Davis; Liberty, D. N. Jordan; Hightower, 
C. T. Brown; Atlanta, B. S. Railey; New Union, G. W. 
Carroll; and Dr. B. D. Ragsdale, from Mercer Uni¬ 
versity, representing the Seventy-five Million Campaign. 
The introductory sermon was preached by R. W. Eu¬ 
banks, after the election of officers. R. W. Eubanks 
read and discussed the report of the Executive Commit¬ 
tee. J. Fred Eden, Jr., read and discussed the report 
on the Baptist Hospital. The body went heart and soul 
into the Seventy-five Million Campaign, and before the 
first day of January, 1920, her apportionment had been 
subscribed. This was not a very harmonious session. 

90 


Human nature was manifestly visible, but a kind Provi¬ 
dence removed the cause before another session of the 
body. The statistics show a small increase in contribu¬ 
tions for every benevolent enterprise fostered by the 
Association. 

The one hundred and third annual session of the body 
was held with New Bethel Church, September 14th, 1920. 
The introductory sermon was preached by Dr. B. S. 
Railey, Superintendent of Field Work. W. J. Purcell 
was elected Moderator, and D. S. Wommack, Clerk. 
The visitors and those representing different phases of 
the work, were B. S. Railey, Supt. of Field Work, J. W. 
Merritt, Sunday School Field Worker, J. W. Farmer, 
of the Enlistment Department, Lawson E. Brown, Gib¬ 
son Mercer Institute, A. W. Bussey, from the Hebron, 
W. L. Culberson, from the Sarepta, A. J. York, from 
the Florida, J. M. Skelton, from the Western, to 
shine for one season and then pass on to other 
spheres. The reports of the various committees are 
worthy of a place in full in these sketches, but 
space forbids. Contributions for all purposes show 
a grand total of $49,687.58, and of this amount 
the W. M. S., S. S. and other auxiliaries gave 
$5,169.01. The Missionary sermon was preached by 
G. W. Gamer, and a collection was taken amounting to 
$25.58. 

In 1921 the Association again met at Pleasant Grove 
Church in its one hundred and fourth annual session, 
September 13th. The introductory sermon was dispensed 
with, and heard an address by S. Emmett Stephens of 
Shantung, China, on the famine-stricken condition of 
China. Elected W. J. Purcell, Moderator, and D. S. 
Wommack, Clerk. The committee on Deceased Min¬ 
isters and Deacons report the death of T. A. McFar¬ 
land, of Clarks Creek, J. P. Adair of Carnesville, John 
L. Brown, of Martin, and J. M. Shelton, of Rock Creek. 
Owing to the sudden and unexpected decline in the 
price of cotton in 1920 from forty cents to fifteen cents 
per pound, together with other causes producing finan¬ 
cial depression, there has been a considerable falling off 
91 


in contributions, but not so great as at one time was 
feared. 

Notwithstanding, the interest in Mission work was 
deepening and broadening, as shown by the various 
reports, and especially the report on Missions, which 
emphasizes the fact that the commission is co-extensive 
with the existence of men wherever found. Upon the 
whole, this session was both interesting and profitable. 

The delegates from the various churches comprising 
the body assembled September 12th, 1922, with Middle 
River Church, this being the one hundred and fifth an¬ 
nual session. Gross irregularities were reported as exist¬ 
ing in the churches at Currahee, Carnes Creek and Rock 
Creek. A committee consisting of J. F. Goode, J. S. 
Hartsfield and W. T. Holcomb was appointed to retire 
with the delegates from said churches and investigate 
the reports. After investigation the committee reported 
that they find the above-named churches out of harmony 
with the Association, and recommend their delegates be 
not seated. Recommended further that a committee, 
consisting of the Moderator, Claude Bond, G. W. Wiley 
and R. B. Ray be appointed to visit these churches and 
try to bring them in line with the doctrines of the 
Missionary Baptist Churches of this Association before 
the next meeting of this Association. 

Elected Claude Bond, Moderator, and D. S. Wommack, 
Clerk. Dr. A. C. Cree was given forty-five minutes 
to present the work and progress of the Seventy-five 
Million Campaign, after which C. 0. English preached 
the introductory sermon. 

A resolution was offered and passed, that the program 
be so arranged as to give our denominational leaders 
a regular place and the Mission Board to be notified 
to have some one on hand at that hour. The reports 
of the committees were well prepared and ably discussed, 
but this writer thinks most of the reports were entirely 
too elaborate. They embrace too much of what has been 
and is being done, or should be done by our own people. 
There has been a tendency in this direction for several 
years. A concise report stating facts and leaving off so 
92 


much that is unnecessary would he read with more in¬ 
terest. Total contributions for all purposes for the 
Associational year amount to $30,050.29. The body 
now has 31 ordained preachers. We gather from the 
minutes of the Sunday School Convention that 26 
churches have Sunday Schools, but the number of pupils 
enrolled is not given. The next session of the body will 
be held with Liberty Hill Church on Tuesday before the 
third Lord’s day in September, 1923. 

The body assembled in its one hundred and sixth an¬ 
nual session with Liberty Hill Church, on September 
12th, 1923. The introductory sermon was preached by 
H. E. Kelly. Re-elected Claude Bond and D. S. Worn- 
mack, Moderator and Clerk. The program as previously 
arranged was submitted and adopted as a guide to busi¬ 
ness. The distinguished visitors were L. D. Newton, 
editor of the “Christian Index,” and Dr. J. I. Purser, 
from the Atlanta Association. The speech by L. D. 
Newton on the Baptist World Conference at Stockholm, 
was both instructive and inspiring. T. J. Rucker and 
C. T. Burgess were present from the Hebron, Brethren 
Lida and Merritt from the Beaverdam. The reports pf 
the various committees were brief but comprehensive, 
and were spoken to by a number of brethren of our 
own body, and by Dr. Pursur in a general way, setting 
forth our opportunities and responsibilities. The benev¬ 
olent enterprises fostered by the Association have all 
been cared for and a strong and prevailing sentiment 
to press forward to greater attainments than we have 
yet reached was manifest. 

In the first thirty-seven years of the Association’s his¬ 
tory, we have seen that the body was engaged in planting 
churches and sending out ministers to supply the destitu¬ 
tion in this then undeveloped beautiful Piedmont re¬ 
gion. We have discovered nothing that would warrant 
us in concluding that it was anti-mission in spirit or 
practice. Since that time the body has continued to 
grow in efficiency and we humbly trust we are as 
spiritual-minded as the Baptist fathers who laid the 
foundation upon which we are building to-day. 

93 


We have now given a brief outline of every session 
of the body from its organization at Poplar Springs 
Church, on September 12th, 1818, to the last session at 
Liberty Hill Church, on September 12th, 1923, em¬ 
bracing a period of 105 years. May these imperfect 
sketches be helpful to the aged and encouraging and in¬ 
spiring to the youth of the present and future genera¬ 
tions, is the sincere desire of the author. 

TIME, PLACE AND OFFICERS OF THE 
ASSOCIATION 


Organized September 12th, 1818, at Poplar Springs 
Church, Franklin County, Georgia, with Rev. Dozier 
Thornton, Moderator; Rev. Isam Goss, Clerk. 


Bate 

Place 

Moderator 


Cleric 

1818 

Poplar Springs Church Dozier Thornton 

Isam Goss 

1819 

Eastanollee Church 

George Vandiver 

James 

R. Wiley 

1820 

Hunters Creek Church 

n a 

Beniamin Cleveland 

1821 

Double Branches;Church 

Littleton Meeks 

tt 

a 

1822 

Line Church 

ft e ( 

Hiram H. Skelton 

1823 

Chauga Church 

tt tt 

William Ledbetter 

1824 

Henrys Church 

tt tt 

tt 

11 

1825 

Yellow Creek Church 

George Vandiver 

11 

t< 

1826 

Beaverdam Church 

Littleton Meeks 

John 

Crocker 

1827 

Hunters Creek Church 

Francis Calloway Thomas Dawson 

1828 

Bethlehem Church 

Geo. Vandiver 

John 

Crocker 

1829 

Conneross Church 

Littleton Meeks 

H. F. 

Chandler 

1830 

New Liberty Church 

Samuel Hymer 

(i (i 

< i 

1831 

Stekoah Church 

tt tt 

tt tt 

a 

1832 

Hepzibah Church 

Henry David 

tt tt 

t i 

1833 

Middle River Church 

tt tt 

Thomas Dawson 

1834 

Perkens Creek Church 

Samuel Hymer 

tt 

t i 

1835 

Shoal Creek Church 

Lewis Ballard 

H. F. 

Chandler 

1836 

Beaverdam Church 

Humphrey Posey 

tt (( 

11 

1837 

Conneross Church 

Littleton Meeks 

a it 

a 

1838 

Holly Springs Church 

John A. Davis 

a a 

t i 

1839 

Eastanollee Church 

J. W. Lewis 

a (t 

a 

1840 

Bethel Church 

John A. Davis 

a a 

11 

1841 

Poplar Springs Church 

11 n n 

tt a 

a 

1842 

Line Church 

A. W. McGuffin 

a a 

i t 

1843 

Westminister Church 

John A. Davis 

a a 

a 

1844 

Double Branches Church 

tt a tt 

a a 

a 


94 


Date 

1845 

1846 

1847 

1848 

1849 

1850 

1851 

1852 

1853 

1854 

1855 

1856 

1857 

1858 

1859 

1860 

1861 

1862 

1863 

1864 

1865 

1866 

1867 

1868 

1869 

1870 

1871 

1872 

1873 

1874 

1875 

1876 

1877 

1878 

1879 

1880 

1881 

1882 

1883 

1884 

1885 

1886 

1887 

1888 

1889 

1890 

1891 

1892 

1893 


Place 

Moderator 



Cleric 

Middle River Church 

John A. 

Davis 

H. 

F. 

Chandler 

Pleasant Hill Church 

tt it 

tt 

11 

tt 

tt 

Beaverdam Church 

A. W. McGuffin 

11 

tt 

tt 

Clarks Creek Church 

John A. 

Davis 

tt 

tt 

11 

Leatherwood Church 

tt n 

tt 

tt 

tt 

tt 

Shiloh Church 

n <t 

tt 

tt 

11 

tt 

Carnesville Church 

tt a 

tt 

11 

11 

n 

Zebulon Church 

tt tt 

11 

11 

11 

n 

Westminister Church 

tt tt 

tt 

11 

11 

tt 

Reed Creek Church 

tt tt 

tt 

11 

tt 

tt 

Hunters Creek Church 

tt tt 

11 

11 

tt 

11 

Beaverdam Church 

H. M. Barton 

tt 

11 

11 

Reed Creek Church 

tt tt 

tt 

11 

11 

tt 

Eastanollee Church 

it tt 

11 

11 

a 

n 

Liberty Church 

n tt 

11 

11 

11 

11 

Double Branches Church 

tt n 

11 

W. F. Bowers 

Indian Creek Church 

tt a 

tt 

tt 

11 

tt 

South Union Church 

tt tt 

11 

tt 

11 

tt 

Poplar Springs Church 

it tt 

tt 

11 

11 

tt 

Leatherwood Church 

n tt 

11 

11 

tt 

11 

Beaverdam Church 

tt tt 

11 

11 

tt 

11 

Carnesville Church 

tt tt 

11 

A. 

W. 

Brawner 

Eastanollee Church 

n n 

tt 

11 

tt 

11 

South Union Church 

tt tt 

11 

Thomas Crymes 

Clarks Creek Church 

tt tt 

tt 


11 

11 

New Hope Church 

a it 

11 


11 

11 

Pleasant Grove Church 

it tt 

11 


11 

11 

Indian Creek Church 

tt it 

11 


11 

tt 

Zebulon Church 

J. H. Sullivan 

A. 

w. 

Brawner 

Double Springs Church 

tt n 

a 

tt 

11 

11 

Canon Church 

H. M. Barton 

tt 

t i 

tt 

Liberty Hill Church 

tt tt 

11 

tt 

11 

11 

Reed Creek Church 

T. G. Underwood 

tt 

11 

tt 

Double Branches Church H. M. Barton 

11 

11 

11 

Nails Creek Church 

tt tt 

11 

11 

11 

11 

Shoal Creek Church 

T. G. Underwood T. 

A. 

McFarland 

Ziden Church 

tt it 

11 

11 

tt 

11 

Eastanollee Church 

tt it 

tt 

11 

11 

tt 

Cross Roads Church 

n it 

tt 

B. 

P. 

Vandiver 

Middle River Church 

tt tt 

a 

11 

11 

11 

Broad River Church 

tt tt 

tt 

11 

11 

11 

Poplar Springs Church 

J. E. Goode 

11 

11 

11 

New Bethel Church 

T. G. Underwood T. 

A. 

McFarland 

Ebenezer Church 

tt tt 

tt 

11 

11 

11 

Clarks Creek Church 

tt it 

11 

T. 

B. 

Bonner 

Hunters Creek Church 

tt tt 

tt 

T. 

C. 

Hayes 

New Hope Church 

J. F. Goode 

T. 

A. 

McFarland 

Pleasant Grove Church A. E. Keese 

W. 

, A. 

Mitchell 

Hudson River Church 

T. G. Underwood 

tt 

11 

11 


95 


Date 

1894 

Place 

Tugalo Church 

Moderator 

J. F. Goode 

W. A. 

Cleric 

Mitchell 

1895 

Pleasant Hill Church 

({ tt 

tt 

a tt 

i t 

1896 

Nails Creek Church 

C. T. Burgess 

G. F. Fuller 

1897 

Broad River Church 

tt a 

11 

tt tt 

11 

1898 

Double Branches Church 

W. J. Purcell 

C. L. 

Mize 

1899 

Carnesville Church 

n a 

tt 

a tt 

tt 

1900 

Toccoa, First Church 

a tt 

tt 

tt tt 

11 

1901 

Martin Church 

a tt 

tt 

tt tt 

tt 

1902 

Middle River Church 

a a 

a 

tt tt 

tt 

1903 

Liberty Hill Church 
Lavonia Church 

tt ti 

11 

a tt 

11 

1904 

a a 

11 

tt tt 

11 

1905 

Indian Creek Church 

a tt 

11 

tt tt 

a 

1906 

Eastanollee Church 

it 11 

tt 

tt tt 

tt 

1907 

New Carnesville Church 

tt tt 

a 

tt tt 

11 

1908 

Hunters Creek Church 

C. T. Burgess 

W. A. 

Mitchell 

1909 

Mullins Ford Church 

tt tt 

tt 

a tt 

tt 

1910 

Clarks Creek Church 

tt tt 

tt 

tt ft 

tt 

1911 

Nails Creek Church 

tt tt 

a 

tt tt 

11 

1912 

Ebenezer Church 

tt tt 

11 

tt tt 

tt 

1913 

Pleasant Grove Church 

C. T. Brown 

D. S. 

Wommack 

1914 

Hudson River Church 

tt tt 

tt 

it a 

t i 

1915 

New Hope Church 
Lavonia Church 

W. J. Purcell 

tt a 

11 

1916 

A. W. Bussey 

tt tt 

tt 

1917 

Webbs Creek Church 

Claude Bond 

tt tt 

11 

1918 

Poplar Springs Church 

11 

tt 

tt tc 

11 

1919 

Eastanollee Church 

T. B. Bonner 

tt tt 

11 

1920 

New Bethel Church 

W. J. Purcell 

tt tt 

11 

1921 

Pleasant Grove Church 

tt a 

11 

tt tt 

11 

1922 

Middle River Church 

Claude Bond 

tt tt 

11 


According to the records, the Association during the 
104 years of its existence has had 21 Moderators, and 
six are still living. The surviving Moderators who are 
members of the Association are: J. F. Goode, T. B. 
Bonner and Claude Bond, the present incumbent. C. T. 
Burgess, C. T. Brown and A. W. Bussey have moved 
away. 

The surviving Clerks are: G. F. Fuller, T. B. Bonner, 
T. C. Hayes, W. A. Mitchell and D. S. Wommack, the 
present incumbent. G. F. Fuller and W. A. Mitchell 
have moved away. Of the nineteen clerks the seven 
above named are still living. 

Following is a list of ministers now living who 
are members of the Association, and their post 
office: 


96 


Adams, F. S.... 
Bellamy, L. H. .. 
Brown, W. O.. .. 

Davis, A. M. 

Davis, B. L. 

Eden J. Fred, Jr 
Edmonds, D. N. 

Fuller, G. B. 

Goode, J. F. 

Holcomb, W. T.. 
James, W. L.... 

Jordan, D. N_ 

Kelly, E. H. 

Macomson, S. E. 
Phillips, B. L.. 

Bich, B. H. 

Bothell, S. A.... 
Sayer, Paul M.. 
Stovall, H. F.... 
Terrell, Aaron .. 
Whitmire, B. L.. 
Williams, J. K.. 
Williams, S. S.. 
Woodson, E. E.. 
Whiten, Garnett 
Young, A. W.... 


Toccoa, Ga. 
Canon, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Ayersville, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Avalon, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Avalon, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Canon, Ga. 
Carnesville, Ga. 
Martin, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Macon, Ga. 
Avalon, Ga. 
Carnesville, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Macon, Ga. 
Macon, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Toccoa, Ga. 
Ayersville, Ga. 


97 




























History of the Churches 
NAILS CREEK 

Nails Creek Church is situated in Banks County, 
Ga., on the public highway known as the Gainesville 
Road, seven miles East of Homer, the County seat of 
Banks County, and is doubtless the oldest church in the 
Tugalo Association. The church’s existence until 1832 
is shrouded in an impenetrable fog of ignorance, with 
here and there a straggling ray of light. What the 
church did during the early years of her existence we 
have no record to guide us. We gather from a brief 
history of the church prepared by Dr. T. G. Under¬ 
wood, and published in the minutes of the Association 
at the session of 1880, that according to a statement made 
to him by Mrs. Susan Halcomb, a very aged lady living 
at that time (1880) in White County, that her parents 
had often told her that Nails Creek Church was con¬ 
stituted on the same day that she was born, February 
11th, 1787. The above may or may not be correct. This 
lady was very old and memory is treacherous, espe¬ 
cially at her time of life. The records show that in 
January, 1832, the church adopted rules of decorum 
by which they were to be governed. 

In April following, Howell Mangum was received 
into the church by experience and baptism, and in July, 
1833, he was elected church clerk, and was ordained a 
deacon in January, 1836. 

Littleton Meeks was pastor in 1836, and perhaps 
earlier. W. R. Wellborn served the church as pastor 
from January, 1837, to March, 1841, when Moses Hol- 

98 


land became pastor and served until 1844. In 1845 
the church seems to have been without a regular pastor, 
Littleton Meeks and Moses Holland supplying alter¬ 
nately from January to June, at which time Moses 
Holland was again chosen, and served until December, 
1846, when John Suggs was chosen, and served as pastor 
until December, 1849. Elias Sosebee was pastor in 
1850. W. R. Goss was next chosen pastor, and served 
as such until November, 1859. David H. Payne was 
then chosen, and served to November, 1865, when J. G. 
Bryan was chosen and served until November, 1867. 
David H. Payne was then again chosen, and served until 
November, 1869. Then J. G. Bryan was again chosen, 
and served to December, 1870, when David H. Payne 
was again chosen and served until his death, in June, 
1883. J. F. Goode was then chosen, and served until 
December, 1885, when R. D. Hawkins was chosen and 
served until December, 1887. J. F. Goode was again 
chosen, and served until December, 1891, when C. T. 
Burgess was chosen and served until December, 1901, 
when E. A. Booth was chosen and served until Decem¬ 
ber, 1902, when J. H. Ayers became pastor and served 
until December, 1907; then A. J. Johnson was chosen 
and served until Dec., 1908, when R. D. Hawkins was 
again called and served until Dec., 1912, when J. F. 
Goode was again called and served until Dec., 1916; then 
C. T. Burgess was again called and served until Dec., 
1917; F. G. Tucker was then called and served to Dec., 
1918; J. H. Ayers was again called and served until 
Dec., 1919, when J. A. Crankleton was called and served 
until 1920. S. E. Macomson was then called and served 
till 1922, when J. J. Kimsey was called and is the 
present pastor. 

So far as the records show the following brethren 
have served the church as deacons: Howell Mangum, 
P. R. Gillespie, M. W. Gillespie, G. W. Poole, George 
Patterson, G. W. Verner, James Brown, E. M. Poole, 
J. P. Wilson, Jeremiah Ward, W. H. T. Gillespie, W. J. 
Crow, W. T. Duncan and J. D. Arnold. The present 
acting deacons are: W. J. Crow, J. T. Stevenson, G. G. 

99 


Strange and J. F. McConnell. The following brethren 
have served the church as clerks: Howell Mangum, 
William Wiley, S. R. Dailey, W. H. Arial, E. M. Poole, 
G. W. Yerner, E. W. Poole, W. H. T. Gillespie and 
G. W. Wiley. J. F. Logan is the present clerk. 

The meeting house was burned by an incendiary in 
October, 1864, and the church was without a house of 
worship until 1868, when a very inferior framed house 
was built, which the church occupied until 1881, when 
the old structure was torn down and a neat framed 
building erected, in which the church continued to wor¬ 
ship until 1908, when the house was sold and the present 
brick building erected, at a cost of $6000.00. 

According to the minutes of the Association in 1922, 
the present membership is 457. This church now is, 
and has always been, a missionary body, but according 
to statistics for 1922 is not as actively engaged in 
supporting the benevolent enterprises fostered by the 
Association as in former years. It is a little strange 
that this church has never ordained a minister. Just 
why this is so we cannot say. While Nails Creek has 
not been honored as the mother of preachers, she does 
occupy an honorable position as the mother of churches. 
Middle River, Grove Level and Indian Creek went out 
from this church, while she has contributed more or 
less to the building up of New Bethel and Webb’s 
Creek. 


HUNTERS CREEK 

When the Association was constituted in 1818, the 
name of F. Calloway, Sr., and George Thomason appear 
as delegates from Hunter’s Creek Church. There is 
no record earlier than 1849, when the name of John 
A. Davis appears as pastor. How long he had served 
or when he became pastor we have no means of ascer¬ 
taining. November the 11th, 1850, William Kelly and 
John G. York were ordained to the full work of the 
ministry by the following presbytery: John A. Davis, 
100 


James Brown, F. H. Attaway, Ministers; John Morris, 
Riley Mitchell, Samuel Wells, J. L. Shackelford, J. E. 
Payne, M. W. Gillespie, David Crider, Deacons. 

Of the workings of the church for the next sixty years 
very little is known, save a long list of pastors which 
followed each other in rapid succession. The following 
ministers served the church as pastor from 1850 to the 
present time: John A. Davis, 1849-1850; John G. York, 
1851; Kelly and York, 1852-1853; William Kelly, 1854- 
1855; D. H. Payne, 1856-1861; William Kelly, 1862; 
Hendricks Hayes, 1863; D. H. Payne, 1864; Thomas 
Crymes, 1866; D. H. Payne, 1867-1870; J. H. Sullivan, 
1871-1872; William Kelly, 1873-1874; J. H. Sullivan, 
1875-1878; J. M. Massey, 1879; W. J. Purcell, 1880-1886; 
W. W. Stowe, 1887-1888; C. T. Burgess, 1889-1893; T. G. 
Underwood, 1894-1896; S. E. Macomson, 1897-1902; J. F. 
Goode, 1903; L. K. Parham, 1904-1911; C. T. Burgess, 
1912-1918; W. J. Purcell, 1919; R. P. Ford, 1920; W. T. 
Holcomb, 1921-1922. 

H. E. Kelly was ordained to the full work of the 
ministry April, 1921, by the following presbytery: J. F. 
Goode, W. L. Whitmire, W. J. Purcell, W. T. Holcomb, 
Ministers; E. J. Kelly, William Whiten and Joe Robert¬ 
son, Deacons. 

Since 1850 the records show that the following have 
served the church as Deacons: John Epps Payne, Silas 
Adams, James Shackelford, Lewis Aderhold, Jeremiah 
Cleveland, A. R. Thomason, F. M. Aderhold, W. M. 
Terrell, S. J. Segers, G. R. McMurtry, Daniel Fullbright, 
S. L. Mize, William Whiten, W. S. White, J. L. Henson, 
W. P. Whiten, H. J. Rumsey, A. F. Quickie, E. J. Kelly. 
The present acting deacons are: E. J. Kelly, William 
Whiten, W. P. Whiten and H. J. Rumsey. 

The following brethren have served the church as clerk: 
J. G. York, N. M. Payne, Lewis Aderhold, F. M. Ader¬ 
hold, C. L. Mize, H. J. Rumsey, M. H. Cleveland and 
R. F. Hinson, the present clerk. 

This is doubtless one of the oldest churches belonging 
to the Association, but the date of its organization is 
forever lost. According to the Associational minutes the 
101 


body convened with this church in 1820, 1827, 1855, 
1891, 1907. 


NEW HOPE 


According to the records of Hunters Creek Church, 
this church first worshiped at the site now occupied by 
the church, as an arm of Hunters Creek. This ohurch 
was constituted November 18th, 1850, and composed of 
the following named persons as members: 


Females 
Laura E. Payne 
Sarah Banks 
Caroline Wheeler 
Malissa Andrews 
Mary Payne 
Elizabeth Addison 
Elizabeth Oliver 
Sarah Andrews 


Males 


John E. Payne 
Edmun Adcock 


William Whitfield 
Silas Andrews 
Marion Andrews 


The following named ministers and deacons composed 
the Presbytery: John A. Davis, William Kelly, John 
G. York, Ministers; Hampton Halcomb and James L. 
Shackelford, Deacons. 

There is no further record until 1871. Writing from 
memory, I here state that A. H. Terrell was pastor in 
1866-1867. I know not who was pastor in 1869, but 
John Kytle was pastor from 1870 to 1873, when William 
Kelly was chosen and served as such in 1874-1875. J. F. 
Goode was pastor in 1876; William Kelly was pastor 
in 1877; J. F. Goode was again pastor in 1878; G. W. 
Carroll was pastor in 1879, when D. H. Payne was 
called and served as pastor in 1880. W. J. Purcell 
served as pastor in 1881, when L. B. Norton became 
pastor and served in 1882; G. W. Carroll was again 
called and served as such in 1883-1885; J. Heaton was 
then called and served until the time of his death, Aug. 
31, 1886. J. L. D. Hillyer served from Aug. 31st to 
the close of 1886, when C. T. Burgess was called and 
served to December 31st, 1892, when W. W. Stowe was 
called and served until 1902; then J. F. Goode was 


102 


again called, and served to Dec., 1904. W. W. Stowe 
was again called and served 1905-1906; R. L. Davis was 
then called and served until Dec., 1916; then S. E. Ma- 
comson was called and served from 1917 to 1919, when 
W. T. Holcomb was called, and is the present pastor. 

Deacons 

The following named brethren have served the church 
as deacons: J. E. Payne, Morgan Guest, Silas Andrews, 
Silas Adams, B. E. Edge, T. C. Ayers, W. M. Smith, 
A. T. Whiten, W. C. Andrews, C. T. Lambreth, E. V. 
Purcell, C. W. Keller, G. S. Holcomb, 0. M. Louder- 
melk, Andrew Halcomb and W. T. Addison. 

We cannot tell who was the first clerk, owing to the 
fact that the minutes of the church from the time of 
its constitution in 1850 up to 1870 have been lost or 
destroyed. Morgan Guest became clerk in the early 
years of the church’s existence, and continued to serve 
the church in that capacity until Dec., 1878. W. A. 
Landrum, T. W. Mize, W. M. Jordan and perhaps 
others whose names are not obtainable. C. A. Taylor 
is the present clerk. 

During its existence of seventy-three years this church 
has ordained and sent three faithful ministers to bless 
the world: A. H. Terrell, S. E. Macomson and J. O. 
Fulbright. A. H. Terrell passed to his reward in 1882. 
S. E. Macomson has been for twenty-five years active 
pastor in this and other Associations. J. 0. Fulbright 
is an active pastor in the state of North Carolina. 


EASTANOLLEE 


Eastanollee Church in Franklin County, Ga., is one 
of the oldest churches in Northeast Georgia. Accord¬ 
ing to a brief history of the church written by Dr. T. G. 
Underwood, and read before the Association at Nails 
Creek in 1879, and printed in the minutes, he states that 
103 


From the best information obtainable from the records (part 
of which is lost) that it was first an arm of Leatherwood Church 
in Habersham county, Ga., and held its meetings at the same place 
where the church now meets, some time in the year 1807, and 
began to operate under the auspices of Leatherwood Church, by 
holding regular monthly conferences which were continued until 
Sept. 8th, 1810, when it was constituted by a presbytery con¬ 
sisting of John Cleveland, Nacy Meeks, Francis Calloway, John 
D. Terrell and David Barton, with a membership of 118, fifty- 
three males and sixty-five females, none of whose names are given. 
On the same day Nacy Meeks was chosen pastor, he having served 
as their preacher while the body was an arm of Leatherwood 
Church. He continued as pastor until October, 1818, at which 
time he was dismissed by letter. Francis Calloway was then 
called and continued as pastor until Dec. 31st, 1827. Lewis Bal¬ 
lard was pastor in 1828. Matthew Vandiver was next chosen 
and served until Dec. 31, 1833; Lewis Ballard was again chosen 
and served to August, 1835; John A. Davis was called and served 
to Dec. 31, 1844. No mention is made as to who was pastor for 
the next three years. Barwick Chambers was pastor in 1847; 
David Simons was then chosen and served as pastor to Dec., 
1850, when John G. York was chosen pastor and served to Dec., 
1853, when he was chosen jointly with Marion Sewell, and they 
together served as pastor for 1854. William Kelly was next 
chosen and served to the close of the year 1861. William Morton 
was pastor in 1862; William Kelly again served as pastor in 
1863; T. G. Underwood was pastor 1864-1865; H. M. Barton was 
pastor in 1866; William Kelly was again pastor in 1867; E. L. 
Sisk was pastor in 1868, when Thomas Burgess became pastor 
and served to Dec., 1872; Jesse Brown was next chosen and served 
to Dec., 1874, when T. G. Underwood was again chosen and served 
to Dec., 1878, when J. F. Goode was chosen and served to Dec., 
1882. 

From the close of the year 1882 there is no record 
until 1907, but the minutes of the Association show 
that L. B. Norton, T. J. Stonecypher and J. Fulbright 
were each pastor. W. W. Stowe was pastor with the 
exception of about four years, from the time of his 
ordination in 1882 until his death, Dec. 21st, 1915. J. P. 
Dendy was pastor from 1915 to July, 1917; J. F. Goode 
from Sept. 15th, 1917, to Dec. 31, 1920; S. E. Macomson 
from January 1, 1921, to the present. 

Again referring to the history written by Dr. Under¬ 
wood, for we have no other data until 1907, we find 
that the following named brethren have served the 
church as deacons: Jeremiah Sparks, Abel White, 

104 


Daniel Mosely, S. W. Crawford, B. J. Cleveland, Jere¬ 
miah Cleveland, John Eskew, S. W. Camp, and doubt¬ 
less others whose names perished with the church records. 

The present acting deacons are: A. T. Davis, Sr., 
A. T. Davis, Jr., Clifton Scott. S. W. Camp is the 
senior deacon, and until disabled by the infirmities of 
age, filled the office of a deacon well, thereby getting 
unto himself a good degree and great boldness in the 
faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

The clerks, so far as there is any record, have been 
Peter Naylor, Benjamin Stonecypher, John B. Word, 
W. R. P. Willbanks, Thomas R. Sparks, Daniel Mose¬ 
ley, John C. Mosely, James A. Mosely. A. T. Davis, Jr., 
is the present clerk. The church is one mile from Easta 
nollee Station, and is composed of well-to-do farmers, 
but is not a very active missionary body. Their great¬ 
est need is a trained leader. The church numbers 221 
members, and contributed in 1922 only $199.00 for all 
purposes, including pastor’s salary. 

This church has ordained to the ministry the follow¬ 
ing known brethren, and perhaps the records contain 
the names of others had they been preserved: W. W. 
Stowe, W. T. Holcomb, and licensed S. W. Mosely. 


POPLAR SPRINGS 

From the best information obtainable this church 
was constituted in May, 1805, or the first divine services 
were held about that date. According to a statement 
made by Brother Henry Stovall, Joseph Chandler, 
Thomas Wilkins, John Nail, John Mullins and James 
Jackson were some of the first members. We have no 
means of ascertaining who composed the constituting 
presbytery, as there is no record. John Cleveland, 
Thomas Gilbert and Francis Calloway, Jr., supplied 
the church until 1826. Lewis Ballard and James Smith 
were the supply in 1822. From 1826 until 1855 the 
church was supplied by David Simmons, Matthew Van- 
105 


diver, Andrew Cobb, John G. York and Jacob Burruss. 
David H. Payne was pastor in 1855; H. M. Barton in 
1856; William Kelly in 1857; Elias Sosebee in 1858; 
W. F. Bowers, 1859 to 1862; W. M. Morton in 1863-1864. 

The church seems to have had no supply until Sept., 
1865, when Jesse Brown was chosen and served the 
remainder of the year, when Thomas Crymes was called 
and served to Dec., 1866; Jesse Brown was called and 
served to Dec., 1871; K. M. Barton was chosen and 
served to Dec., 1874; Samuel Isbell served to Sept., 
1875. In October, 1875, T. G. Underwood was called 
and served to Dec., 1877, when he, together with J. F. 
Goode, was called, and they supplied the church jointly 
until Dec., 1880, when H. M. Walters was chosen and 
served to Dec., 1882; then H. F. Goode was called and 
served to Dec., 1883; W. J. Purcell was called and 
served to Dec., 1913; R. M. Maret was called and served 
to Dec., 1922, and E. H. Collins was then called, and 
is the pastor at this time. 

Deacons 

James Jackson and Joseph Chandler were the first 
deacons. Henry F. Chandler, who for twenty-nine years 
was Clerk of the Association, was ordained a deacon 
by this church, also Joseph Jackson, James Randall, 
Robert Stribling, E. 0. Finch, C. W. Carter, William 
Baldwin, Alfred Gunion, T. A. Stovall, T. B. Harrison 
and A. J. York. Nearly all of the above named deacons 
have passed away; others have left the community and 
have become members of other churches. A. J. York 
entered the ministry, and is now living in Florida, at 
a very advanced age, but still is active in the work of 
the Master. We have not been able to obtain the names 
of the present acting deacons. 

Clerks 

John Nail was the first clerk. H. F. Chandler and 
Joshua Stovall acted as clerk until 1849. John Garner, 
106 


William Baldwin and Robert Stribling acted as clerk 
from 1849 to 1871. M. A. Adams was elected clerk 
in 1871 and served for a number of years. G. W. 
Whitworth is the present clerk. 

The present membership according to the Associa- 
tional minutes for 1922 is 268. The pastor’s salary 
for one-fourth time, $300.00. It appears from the min¬ 
utes of the Association that this church is a regular 
contributor to all benevolent enterprises fostered by 
the Baptist denomination. The author obtained most 
of the data for the above history up to 1883 from 
Henry Stovall, father of George N., T. A., and Rev. 
H. F. Stovall, who had lived all of his long life in 
the Poplar Springs neighborhood. Though a young 
man when this information was obtained, it was jotted 
down and is now very useful to the compiler of this 
sketch. Uncle Henry, as he was familiarly known, sleeps 
in the cemetery hard by the church. 


MIDDLE RIVER 

(Formerly Lower Nails Creek) 

This church is located about four miles Southwest 
from Camesville, on the public road leading to Com¬ 
merce. It existed for several years as an arm of Nails 
Creek Church, and was first called by the name of 
“Lower Nails Creek.” The church was constituted 
May 24, 1801. The following named ministers and 
deacons composing the presbytery: John Cleveland, 

F. Calloway, James Denman, Sanders Riley, and - 

Chandler, ministers. Nineteen members entered into 
the constitution, but the names are not given. On 
the first Saturday in May, 1807, the church elected 
Zachariah Chandler for deacon, and James Tate was 
elected clerk. The record is silent as to who was pastor 
until December, 1810, when James Riley was called to 
supply the church for 1811. He was continued as 
107 


pastor to August, 1814, when Henry David was called. 
He served to November, 1820, when the record states 
he declined to attend the church. At the October con¬ 
ference, 1821, the name of the church was changed to 
“Middle River,’’ which name it has ever since borne. 
The record states that from 1821 to 1823 Black’s Creek 
and Middle River were at variance, and finally in 1823 
the difference was adjusted. As to the nature of the 
trouble the minutes are silent. In May, 1825, James 
Tate was chosen as deacon. In 1816 the record states 
that James Tate was set forward to preach the Gospel. 
Being elected a deacon in 1825, would lead to the con¬ 
clusion that he had only been licensed to preach. From 
1820, when Henry David declined to serve the church, 
nothing is said as to who was pastor until 1838, when 
the church again called Henry David. About this time 
arose a division in the church as to the ordination of 
David Carson, and on account of Henry David they 
failed to act, he being a member of the Oconee Asso¬ 
ciation, and they having declared non-fellowship for the 
Convention and the contributing branches. There is no 
record as to when Henry David left the church and 
became a member of a church in the Oconee. He was 
a member of this church and a delegate to the Asso¬ 
ciation from 1822 to 1836. In 1838 he was called as 
pastor of the church. On the 5th day of May, 1838, the 
church agreed to call a presbytery to ordain David 
Carson to the full work of the Gospel ministry. On 
the 2nd day of June, following, the subject was again 
taken up and on account of Elder Henry David they 
failed to act, he being a member of the Oconee Asso¬ 
ciation (a Hard-Shell body). The church then agreed 
to call a presbytery to ordain David Carson on Wednes¬ 
day before the third Sabbath in July, 1838. Whether 
David Carson was ordained or not the records do not 
state. He certainly was not ordained with the consent 
of the brethren composing the Middle River Missionary 
Baptist Church. 

The following resolution, found in the minutes of the 
Association at its session in 1838, would lead to the 
108 


conclusion that he was ordained by a presbytery of 
ministers from the Oconee Association: 

Resolved, That the brother named in the letter from the Middle 
River Church as an ordained Minister, be not recognized as such 
in our ministry, and we recommend the adjoining churches to 
labor with the Middle River Church for a reconciliation in ref¬ 
erence to the above resolution and their pastor. 

The Association at its session in 1839 appointed a 
committee to visit Middle River Church and try to 
effect a reconciliation. At the session in 1840 the com¬ 
mittee reported no progress. The committee was con¬ 
tinued and instructed to 

visit said church on Saturday before the third Sabbath in October 
next and endeavor to perform the work for which they were ap¬ 
pointed, and report to the next Association. 

At the session in 1841 the committee submitted the 
following report: 

We, a part of your committee, beg leave to submit the following 
with regard to the case of Middle River: We met according to 
your appointment, but when conference was opened we were not 
admitted to a seat with them, and were advised by a majority 
of said church to have nothing to say at that time on the subject 
matter of our visit. Some very rigid resolutions were offered by 
their Elder, the ordination of whom the difficulty of 1838 origi¬ 
nated, which resolutions declared a non-fellovrship with a large 
majority of our Association, and also holding heavy charges 
against the Association for refusing the aforesaid ordination. 
Some 18 or 20 members sustained the resolutions and have joined 
the Oconee Association. The majority remaining we regard as the 
church, and we heartily sustain them as such, believing them to 
be sound in the faith and doctrine. 

M. H. Payne, 

Chairman. 

The subject of missions is not mentioned, but there 
can be no doubt that their opposition to missions led 
the minority to sever their connection with the church 
and join the Oconee Association. The Anti-missionary 
wing passed out of existence in 1856, as their records 
show. The Middle River Church has kept up a regular 
discipline to the present date, though most of their 

109 


records have been lost or mislaid. John A. Davis was 
pastor for a number of years, later Mankin Powers 
was pastor. J. G. Bryan was pastor from 1868 to 1872; 
J. H. Sullivan served as pastor from 1873 to 1879; Jesse 
Brown was pastor in 1880, when T. G. Underwood was 
chosen and served to Dec., 1883; J. D. Adams was pas¬ 
tor in 1884, M. M. Crow in 1885; then W. J. Purcell 
was called and served to Dec., 1891; J. F. Goode was 
then called and served to Dec., 1894; J. G. Christian was 
called and served to Dec., 1900; W. J. Purcell was 
again called and served to Dec., 1908, when L. T. Welden 
was called and served until Dec., 1910; P. F. Crawford 
was called and served to Dec., 1913, when W. J. Purcell 
was again called and served the church to the time of 
his death, Dec. 5, 1923. 

Deacons 

Zachariah Chandler, William Chatham, E. J. Harber, 
Jackson Manley, D. B. Hall, George McMurtry, W. A. 
Manley, William Bryson, W. J. Martin and J. M. Howe 
have served the church as deacons, and perhaps others, 
whose names have perished with the records. 

Clerks 

James Tate, A. E. White, David Carson, John Harber 
and A. C. Dooley. R. L. Howe is the present clerk. 
Others have doubtless served the church in this capacity, 
but their names are lost with the records. 


NEW BETHEL 

On Friday, October 29th, 1870, twenty persons who 
had previously been granted letters of demission from 
Hunter’s Creek and Indian Creek Churches, that they 
might be constituted into a new church, met at New 
Topia School House, six miles above Carnesville on 
110 


Middle River, under the shade of a grove of giant oaks, 
and were constituted into an independent church by a 
presbytery consisting of J. G. Bryan, Henry Wood, J. H. 
Sullivan, Thomas Crymes and T. H. Hathcock, ministers; 
Josiah R. Payne, F. M. Aderhold, deacons. J. G. Bryan 
was chosen moderator, and D. H. Crymes as clerk. 

After reading Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum, 
an opportunity was given to those desiring to become 
members, when the following named brethren and sis¬ 
ters came forward with letters: 


Males 

D. H. Payne A. B. Dobbs 
W. W. Gillespie G. W. Conally 
A. E. Thomason J. H. Payne 
S. U. Payne J. W. Ayers 
J. M. Payne E. D. McFarlin 


Females 

Z. B. Payne Martha Dobbs 
M. H. Gillespie Martha Conally 
J. S. Thomason Mary Conally 
S. J. Thomason E. E. Gillespie 
Susan Thomason H. A. Gillespie 
P. P. Carson J. F. Thomason 
Caroline Payne A. H. Payne 
E. A. McFarlin Elizabeth Car- 
Amanda Dobbs son 


David H. Payne was received as an ordained min¬ 
ister, and M. W. Gillespie, A. R. Thomason and John H. 
Payne were received as ordained deacons. David H. 
Payne was chosen pastor, and M. W. Gillespie was 
elected clerk. The church was named ‘ 1 New Topia. ’ ’ 
The meeting was protracted the following week, and 
quite a number were received into the church by experi¬ 
ence and baptism. 

At the February conference, 1871, the name of the 
church was changed from 4 ‘New Topia” to “New 
Bethel,” which name it has ever since borne. David 
H. Payne continued to serve the church as pastor until 
December, 1872, when at his own request he was re¬ 
lieved. Henry Wood was then called and served until 
Dec., 1873, when David H. Payne was again called 
and served to Dec., 1875; W. R. Goss was then called 
and served to Dec., 1876, when David H. Payne was 
again called and served to Dec., 1878; J. R. I vie was 
called and served to Dec., 1879; J. F. Goode was then 
called and served to Dec., 1883; then W. A. Segers was 
111 


called and served to Dec., 1885; J. Heaton was then 
called and served until the time of his death, Aug. 31st, 
1886. G. W. Carroll was then called and served to 
Dec., 1888; E. P. Stone was then called and served to 
Dec., 1891; M. E. Porter was called and served to Dec., 
1893. C. T. Burgess was next called and served until 
Dec., 1898, when S. E. Macomson was called and served 
to Dec., 1906. J. F. Logan was next called, and served 
to Dec., 1908; then J. F. Goode was again called, and 
served to Dec., 1917. W. J. Purcell was next called, con¬ 
tinued as pastor to the time of his death, Dec. 5, 1923. 

Deacons 

The following named brethren have served the church 
as deacons: John H. Payne, J. R. Payne, A. R. Thoma¬ 
son, Kimsey Segers, A. S. Payne, W. G. Payne, D. Y. 
Poole, W. M. Cash, R. D. Kesler, A. R. Brown, J. F. 
Shirley and E. Z. McDuffie. 

Clerks 

The following named brethren have served the church 
as clerk: M. W. Gillespie, J. H. L. Payne, R. D. Kesler 
and Ralph Payne. Immediately after the church was 
constituted, the brethren took into consideration the 
necessity of building a house of worship. Accordingly 
they went into the forest and cut down and hauled the 
stock to Crumps sawmill, a distance of seven miles. The 
pines were cut into lumber and laid down on the present 
site, and a neat framed house was erected and ceiled 
overhead, and was ready for the church to occupy. On 
the first Sunday in September, 1871, Rev. W. R. Goss, 
by invitation of the church, preached the sermon dedi¬ 
cating the new building. The meeting continued through 
the week following, and Sunday morning thirty-one 
happy converts were buried in baptism in a new pool 
which was built while the meeting was carried on. The 
pool was on the little branch just back of where the 
present meeting-house now stands. W. R. Goss stood 
112 


by the side of the pool and repeated the baptismal 
ceremony, and David H. Payne administered the Ordi¬ 
nance. , 

In 1883 the church sustained a great loss and sore 
bereavement in the death of their beloved leader, David 
H. Payne. He had served them most of the time as 
pastor since the constitution of the church. He had 
gained a strong hold upon the affections of the church, 
and was greatly respected in the community. 

In 1918 the first building was removed and the present 
commodious building was erected, which stands as a 
monument to their progressive and liberal spirit. This 
church has always supported the benevolent enterprises 
fostered by the Association, and in the past has been a 
liberal contributor. According to the Associational 
minutes of 1922, the present membership is 274. 


WEBBS CREEK CHURCH 

This church is situated in Banks County, about seven 
miles north of Commerce. It was constituted in June, 
1881. There is no record as to who was the constitut¬ 
ing presbytery, or the names of the members, nor the 
number who went into the original constitution. Janu¬ 
ary 5th, 1882, J. J. Wilson was chosen pastor, and J. M. 
Wilson, clerk. J. P. Wilson and J. M. Wilson were 
elected deacons at the same conference. J. J. Wilson 
and G. W. Verner were the first delegates to the Asso¬ 
ciation. 

In December, 1882, the church sustained a great loss 
and sore bereavement in the death of their beloved pas¬ 
tor. He was a leading spirit in getting the church con¬ 
stituted. They had just built a small house of worship, 
and he had risen early for the purpose of going to 
Athens to buy the sash for the windows. He ate his 
breakfast, walked out into the yard, reeled and fell, 
and in a few moments ceased to breathe. The church 
was now left a little struggling flock without a shepherd, 
113 


not knowing what to do, but God, who always provides, 
had the very man they so much needed, in the person 
of R. D. Hawkins, who has proven himself a tower of 
strength to the cause of Christ in northeast Georgia. 
He was then young in the ministry, but had gained con¬ 
siderable experience in the school room as a teacher. 
He was also blessed with a consecrated Christian wife, 
of whom Solomon says, “She will do him good and not 
evil all the days of her life.” He came to the little 
flock in February, 1883, and remained until December, 
1887, during which time the church grew in efficiency 
and many were added to the church by experience and 
baptism, and at the close of his pastorate after five 
years of active service, the church numbered more than 
one hundred members. He enjoyed the satisfaction of 
seeing “the pleasure of the Lord” prosper in his hands. 

J. F. Goode was next called and served as pastor until 
December, 1892. The church continued to grow in num¬ 
bers and efficiency. A strict discipline was always en¬ 
forced, and the church looked after the spiritual wel¬ 
fare of her members. 

L. K. Parham was ordained to the ministry in this 
church in 1891, and Dr. S. H. Stapler in 1893. Brother 
Parham proved himself a workman that needeth not 
to be ashamed. He was actively engaged as a pastor to 
the day of his death, which took place at Lavonia in 
1919. Dr. A. H. Stapler is still living in Bullock County, 
Ga., practicing his profession and preaching the Gospel. 
A. J. Kelly was called as pastor in Dec., 1892, and 
served to Dec., 1895. The present church building was 
erected during Brother Kelly’s pastorate. 

J. F. Goode was again called in Dec., 1895, and served 
to December, 1902, when J. L. Fields was called and 
served to Dec., 1906; C. T. Burgess was called and 
served to Dec., 1911; H. E. Hardman was called and 
served until his death, on April 7th, 1915. L. K. Par¬ 
ham and W. H. Lord supplied the church jointly the 
remainder of the year 1915. L. K. Parham was then 
called and served to January, 1918, at which time he 
resigned. W. L. Culberson was next called and served 
114 


until January, 1922, when J. S. Baker was called, and 
is the present pastor. 

This church has sustained great loss by death and 
removals. Several of her most active members have 
died in the prime of life; others equally efficient have 
moved away. Notwithstanding, the church has always 
continued to be prosperous. She has always been a 
liberal contributor to all benevolent objects, and _ her 
prospects for continued usefulness are brighter than 
ever before. According to the Associational minutes 
for 1922, the present membership is 162. 

The following brethren have served the church as 
deacons: J. M. Wilson, J. P. Wilson, H. W. Gordon, 
R. A. Kelly, Neal McCoy, J. M. Fleming, T. B. Ray, 
T. G. Fleming, J. A. Mize, Carl N. Ray, Alonzo Thomp¬ 
son, J. S. Fields and Timothy Nunally. 

The following have served as clerk: J. M. Wilson, 
G. W. Varner, J. W. Harman and others whose names 
are not known. Alonzo Thompson is the present clerk. 


ZEBULON 

This church is situated about one mile south of 
Toccoa, on the National highway leading by the Curra- 
hee Mountain, in Stephens County. When it was con¬ 
stituted who was the presbytery or who were the 
members who went into the constitution, there is no 
means of ascertaining. There is no record of anything 
until March 21, 1908. The Associational minutes of 

1832 states that Zebulon, a newly-constituted church, 
was received into the union at this session. The minutes 
show further that at that date the church was composed 
of 29 members, and Richard Chandler and David Mul- 
key were the first delegates to the Association. In 

1833 the name of John A. Davis, together with the 
name of Richard Chandler, appears as a delegate to 
the Association, and the church reports 15 baptisms, 
five by letter, and a total membership of 46. 

115 


In 1834 John A. Davis and John Halcomb were dele¬ 
gates to the Association. At this session the church 
reports 20 received by experience and baptism, and a 
total membership of 70. In 1835 John A. Davis and 
John Halcomb are the delegates, and four are reported 
received by baptism, and a total membership of 64, 
a loss of six members for the year. John A. Davis 
and John Halcomb were delegates in 1836, and the 
church reports three by baptism and a total of 70 
members. In 1840 the Associational minutes records 
the name of John A. Davis as pastor. 

At the Association held at Leatherwood, Zebulon re¬ 
ports 18 baptisms and a total membership of 141, the 
largest membership of any church in the body, only one 
other church numbering 100 members. In ten years her 
membership had doubled. The name of John A. Davis 
appears as a delegate to the Association in 1833, and 
continuously to 1860. In 1840 the name of John A. 
Davis first appears as pastor, which position he held 
until 1859, when the name of Hendricks Hayes appears 
as pastor for 1860-1861. Norton and Jackson served 
the church in 1862. Hendricks Hayes was pastor in 
1863 and 1864. T. G. Underwood was pastor in 1865. 
A. H. Terrell was pastor in 1866, when William Kelly 
was called and served to Dec., 1867; John Kytle was 
then called and served to Dec., 1871, when Thomas 
Burgess was called and served to Dec., 1872; then John 
Kytle was again called, and served to Dec., 1875; Wil¬ 
liam Kelly was again called, and served to Dec., 1876, 
then J. R. Ivie was called and served to Dec., 1877; J. P. 
Goode was called and served to Dec., 1878. Thehouse 
now occupied by the church was built in 1878. J. Rum- 
sey was pastor in 1879-80 and L. L. Waldrup was pastor 
from 1881 to 1884. 

At the session in 1885 Zebulon was dismissed from 
the Tugalo to join the Liberty Association. We have no 
data from this date from which to write, until 1907, when 
she again became a member of the Tugalo, and the name 
of H. F. Stovall appears as pastor, and J. H. Walker 
as Clerk. H. P. Stovall continued as pastor until 1911. 

116 


W. T. Halcomb was then called and served to Dec., 
1914; E. D. Kelly was called and served to 1918; D. N. 
Jordan was called and served to Dee., 1919; W. T. 
Land was next called and served to 1921. The church 
was then without a pastor until August, 1922, when 
E. H. Kelly was called and has served to the present 
time. 

The deacons, so far as their names can be obtained, 
have been: B. D. Terrell, C. F. Ayers, Isaac Hosea, 
Larkin Cauthon, H. L. Hayworth and W. A. Jackson. 
Others have doubtless perished with the records. 

By painstaking investigation the names of the follow¬ 
ing clerks have been found: Larkin Cauthon, Pinkney 
Heaton, J. H. Walker, W. A. Collins, W. H. Bently 
and J. J. Lyles, the present clerk. 

This imperfect sketch up to and including the year 
1907, was gleaned exclusively from the minutes of the 
Association. It may be well enough to state here that 
the history of most of the churches is very imperfect, 
owing to the fact that in many instances the records 
are lost; and when preserved, are very badly kept. 


TUGALO 

As to when this church was constituted, or who com¬ 
posed the presbytery, or who were the charter members, 
we have no knowledge; not even a single ray of light, 
traditional or otherwise. When the Association was 
organized in 1818, she was represented by Thomas Gil¬ 
bert and John Cleveland, both ministers, and according 
to Baptist history, very aged men. The names of 
Thomas Gilbert and John Cleveland continue to appear 
as delegates until the session of 1822, when the names 
of L. D. Holsonback and John Cleveland are recorded 
their delegates. (The name of Thomas Gilbert never 
again appears in the minutes.) In 1823 Jeremiah Cleve¬ 
land and Benton Stark were the delegates. The church 
was not represented again until 1826, when James Wil- 
117 


kinson and James Isbell were delegates in 1827, when 
the name of Tugalo never again appears until the session 
at Double Springs, S. C., in 1874, when the record states 
that the newly-constituted church at Tugalo was re¬ 
ceived into the Union. The name of William Kelly also 
appears as pastor at this time. 

A recent contribution by Albert Henry Newman, 
printed in the Christian Index of September 6th, 1923, 
a part of which we here insert, sheds some additional 
light as to the early existence of the church late in the 
eighteenth century. He states that: 

In 1791 John Asplund, a Swede, published “The Annual Reg¬ 
ister of the Baptist Denomination in North America, to the 
First of November, 1790/ ’ having spent about eighteen months, 
travelled about 7,000 miles, mostly on foot, visited about 215 
churches and 15 Associations, and became personally acquainted 
with 250 ministers, in gathering the materials. He was trained to 
business and was evidently painstaking in his methods of col¬ 
lecting statistics and accurate in tabulating and publishing them. 
Newman further states that he has the roughly printed volume 
in his possession, and takes pleasure in furnishing for the readers 
of the Christian Index the facts about the Georgia Baptists of 
one hundred and thirty-two years ago. Further on he states that 
“Franklin County had one church, Tugalo River, in 1789, 108 
members, John Cleveland, pastor. 

But for this timely contribution by Mr. Newman, the 
history of the former church known by the name of 
Tugalo River, would have been forever lost, for there 
is not one person now living who has any knowledge 
of when the church became extinct. 

After the newly-constituted church was received as 
a member of the Association in 1874, there is no rec¬ 
ord from 1874 to 1879, when the name of G. W. Carroll 
appears as pastor, and the names of F. H. and Wil¬ 
liam Hubbard are recorded as delegates. G. W. Carroll 
was pastor from 1879 to Dec., 1884, when W. W. 
Stowe was called and served to Dec., 1885, then G. F. 
Fuller became pastor and served to Dec., 1886; J. H. 
Sullivan was then called and served to Dec., 1887; G. F. 
Fuller was again called and served to Dec., 1908; W. L. 
James was called and served to Dec., 1909; W. T. Land 
118 


then served to Dec., 1910; W. T. Halcomb served to 
Dec., 1916; W. T. Land was again called and served 
to Dec., 1918. There is no record for 1920. G. R. 
Fuller was called for 1922-1923, and is pastor at present. 

No record whatever as to who has served or is now 
serving the church in the capacity of deacons. Only 
the name of W. C. Harbert appears on the record as 
clerk. According to the best information obtainable this 
church is not now and never has been very active in 
religious work. It is situated in a good farming section, 
and is composed of thrifty farmers. The present mem¬ 
bership is 117. 


CARNESVILLE 


This church was constituted in the town of Carnes- 
ville, Franklin County, Georgia, on the 18th day of 
April, 1835, by a presbytery composed of the following 
named brethren: Ruben Thornton, Littleton Meeks, 
Lewis Ballard and William R. Wellborn, Ministers; 
James Tate and Howell Mangum, Deacons. Ruben 
Thornton was chosen Moderator, and William R. Well¬ 
born, Clerk. 

The number of members who entered into this con¬ 
stitution was twenty-three whites and five colored, whose 
names were as follows: 

* Elisha Coffee, Mary Coffee, Benjamin Harrison, Elizabeth H. 
Harrison, William Mitchell, Catherine Mitchell, Sarah Parks, Mary 
T. Rogers, Harriett Morris, Clarissa Jones, Wiley M. Mitchell, 
Mary Mitchell, Sarah Morris, Alvan Dean, Elizabeth F. Dean, 
Richard Marshall, Edna Marshall, Maxfield H. Payne, George W. 
Stovall, Alvan E. Whiten, Catherine W. Whiten, white; and Aaron, 
Aggy, Rosetta, Fanny and Nelly, colored. 

The same day the church was constituted Alvan Dean 
was ordained deacon by the same presbytery, and Alvan 
E. Whiten was chosen clerk. The church was without 
a pastor until July, 1835, when Humphrey Posey was 
chosen and served to January 14th, 1837. Asa Chandler 
was then elected pastor and served to Dec., 1838; John 
119 


W. Lewis then served to March 14th, 1840; M. W. 
Vandiver was chosen and served to January, 1845; 
David Simmons was chosen and served to January, 
1852. H. M. Barton was next chosen and served to 
Dec., 1854; John G. York served to October, 1857; J. H. 
Aderhold was called and served to October, 1859, when 
John Moone was chosen and served to Dec., 1860. J. H. 
Aderhold was again chosen, and served to Dec., 1863, 
when D. H. Payne was elected pastor and served to 
Dec., 1865. Thomas Crymes was next called and served 
to Dec., 1867, when John G. Bryan was called and served 
to Dec., 1868. Thomas Crymes was again called and 
served to Dec., 1872, when J. H. Sullivan was called 
and served to Dec., 1874; Thomas Crymes was then 
again called and served to Dec., 1878; T. G. Underwood 
was called and served to Dec., 1886; P. F. Crawford 
then served the church one year. In Dec., 1887, E. L. 
Sisk was called and served to Dec., 1891; when W. J. 
Wooten was called and served to Dec., 1892; J. F. 
Goode was called and served to Dec., 1895; J. G. Chris¬ 
tian was called and served to Dec., 1898; L. C. Branyon 
was called and served to Dec., 1901; H. J. Stovall was 
called and served to Dec., 1903; T. J. Rucker was called 
and served to Dec., 1905; J. F. Goode was again called 
and served to Dec., 1909; W. J. Purcell was then called 
and served to Dec., 1912; L. K. Parham was next called 
and served to Dec., 1914; A. W. Bussey was called and 
served to Dec., 1919; W. J. Purcell was again called 
and was pastor in 1920; A. W. Bussey was again called 
and served to Dec., 1921, when E. H. Collins was called, 
and is the present pastor. 

The twenty-three members who entered into the con¬ 
stitution of this church had all been dismissed by letter 
from Middle River church. Alvan Dean was the first 
deacon. Abraham Aderhold, Moses Duncan, James 
Randall, L. N. Tribble, Levi Hubbard, Francis Hub¬ 
bard, John B. Aderhold, T. C. Hayes, E. A. Sanders, 
J. E. Hubbard and R. F. James and perhaps others, 
whose names are not known. 

The following have been ordained to the ministry by 
120 


this church: John H. Aderhold, who was ordained Dec. 
30th, 1855, was an active minister in the Association for 
ten years, when he moved to Gordon County, Ga., where 
he departed this life on Oct. 21, 1868. Thomas Crymes 
was ordained Dec. 1st, 1866, and for a dozen years 
was the most popular preacher belonging to the 
Association. J. M. Massey was ordained Oct. 3, 
1879, and departed this life in Sept., 1881. A no¬ 
ble man. D. D. Holland was ordained March 5, 
1887. If he ever did any preaching the writer never 
heard of it. He is now living at Maysville, Ga., in ex¬ 
treme old age. 

The clerks, so far as known, have been: Alvan E. 
Whiten, Maxfield H. Payne, Bennett Hawkins, John 
H. Aderhold, H. D. Aderhold, J. H. Mitchell, J. F. 
Langston, A. J. Morris, James Randall, S. M. Ayers, 
T. C. Hayes, L. J. Greene, F. P. Kirk, Mannon Kelly, 
N. A. Fricks, J. E. Hubbard, R. F. Jones and Wey- 
man Sanders, who is the present clerk. 

When this church was first constituted the meeting 
house was in Carnesville, on the plat of ground now 
occupied by the present brick Methodist meeting-house, 
where she met to worship once each month, and to 
transact the usual business of a church. In 1853 the 
house was tom down and moved to the present site, 
three-fourths of a mile west of Carnesville, on the 
Gainesville Road. In 1887 the house was built which 
is now occupied by the church. For many, many years 
the church has been known by the name of 4 ‘Cross 
Roads,’’ and the writer has been told that the church 
recently changed her name to Cross Roads. This may 
or may not be true. Since the writer has known the 
church, she has had a checkered history; the following 
lines will describe her history: 

“Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom, 

Sometimes where Eden’s flowers bloom.” 

The church is now seemingly prosperous, under the ad¬ 
ministration of the present efficient pastor, E. H. Collins. 

121 


MULLINS FORD 


This church was constituted on the tenth day of Dec., 
1892, by the following named brethren acting as pres¬ 
bytery: T. J. Stonecypher, G. F. Fuller, Ministers; 
W. L. C. Walters, Deacon. The following named per¬ 
sons were enrolled as charter members: 


Males 

J. F. Porter, Minister 
J. S. Rudiseal 
J. J. Lyles 
J. S. Edmuns 
L. 0. Jenkins 


Females 
M. M. Porter 
Nancy N. Voiles 
M. A. Jenkins 
Elizabeth Shelton 
M. E. Jenkins 
Daisey A. Fields 


Articles of Faith and Rules of Decorum were adopted 
on the same day, and J. F. Porter was chosen as pastor 
for the year 1893. According to the minutes of the 
Association, W. E. Huff was pastor in 1909, and H. D. 
Minyard served the church for 1910 and 1911. W. W. 
Stowe was pastor for 1912, and W. T. Halcomb was 
pastor for 1913-1914. The records are lost or destroyed 
from the time the church was constituted until January 
16, 1915, when the name of W. T. Halcomb appears 
as Moderator, and L. L. Clark, as Clerk. 

At the conference in May following, the church re¬ 
fused to allow the laymens ’ meeting to convene with her. 
At the November meeting the church adopted the assess¬ 
ment plan for the purpose of raising the pastor’s salary. 
Each male member was assessed $1.00, and each female 
fifty cents, provided, however, that the members both 
male and female who are unable to pay anything, shall 
be exempt. 

Pastors 

W. A. Bryson was licensed to preach by this church 
March, 1917. G. R. Fuller was set apart to the full 
functions of the Gospel ministry on the tenth day of 
April, 1920. Following are names of Pastors, and date 
of pastorate, so far as known: J. F. Porter, 1893; W. E. 

122 


Huff, 1909; H. D. Minyard, 1910-1911; W. W. Stowe, 
1912; W. T. Haleomb, 1913 to 1918; W. L. James, 1918- 
1920; H. F. Stovall, 1921; R. L. Davis, 1922; G. R. 
Fuller, 1923. 

Deacons 

On July 16, 1922, the following named brethren were 
ordained to the office of Deacon: L. D. Turner, R. L. 
Elrod, R. L. Higginbotham and R. E. Perkins. No 
record of any Deacons prior to the above date. 

The following brethren have served the church as 
clerk: L. L. Clark, W. T. Clark and Lee Higginbotham, 
the present clerk. 

According to the Associational minutes of 1922, the 
present membership of the church is 194. The effi¬ 
ciency of this church is by no means proportionate to 
her numerical strength. She needs developing. 


MARTIN 

The following brief outline of this church until 1908 
is written exclusively from memory, the record being 
destroyed by fire when J. Blanton McMurry’s house was 
burned. 

The church was constituted in 1886, and T. G. Under¬ 
wood was Moderator. Who composed the constituting 
presbytery is not known. P. P. Crawford was the first 
pastor, and served as such from the time the church 
was constituted until Dec., 1889, when E. P. Stone 
was called and served until January 1, 1890; then 
P. F. Crawford was again called, and served until Dec., 
1892; J. F. Goode was then called, and served to Dec., 
1896; D. W. Hiott was then called and served to Dec., 
1898, when P. F. Crawford was again called and served 
to Dec., 1905; then E. L. Sisk was called and served to 
Dec., 1906. D. I. Spearman was pastor in 1908, A. W. 
Bussey became pastor in January, 1909, and continued 
as such until Dec., 1917, when G. W. Bussey was called 
123 


and served to Dec., 1919; R. P. Ford was then called 
and served until Dec., 1920. J. M. Skelton served as 
pastor from Dec., 1920, to March, 1922. J. S. Baker 
was then called and is the present pastor. 

The following named brethren have served the church 
as Deacons: M. M. McMurray, B. J. Cleveland, G. L. 
Nelms (J. L. Brown, W. A. Mitchell, E. M. Holland, 
were ordained to the Deaconship by this church May 3, 
1908). W. T. Alexander was received into the church 
by letter as a Deacon. R. M. Freeman, W. J. Mitchell 
and P. D. Landrum were ordained Deacons July 15, 
1916. C. P. Mitchell, R. A. P. Dean, Herbert Brown 
and Elmer Freeman were ordained April, 1922, and are 
the present acting Deacons. W. A. Mitchell, J. Blanton 
McMurray and G. W. Hayes have served as clerk. R. M. 
Walters is the clerk at this time. 

This church has always been a liberal contributor to 
every religious enterprise fostered by the Association, 
as the minutes show, and is now composed of a body of 
enterprising men, and a band of noble Christian women. 
A. W. Bussey has recently been recalled as pastor for 
1924, and the church under his able, consecrated leader¬ 
ship will doubtless go on to greater attainments than 
ever before. This old man is delighted to welcome his 
wandering boy back home, and hopes he will stay this 
time. The present membership is 207. 


PLEASANT HILL 


The Pleasant Hill Church is situated in Franklin 
County, Georgia, about two miles north of Lavonia, and 
about one mile north of the Elberton Rail Road, and 
was constituted on the 18th day of October, 1872, by the 
following named presbytery: Jesse Brown, Minister, 
and Deacons R. C. Burgess, L. N. Tribble, Hezekiah 
Hughes, B. P. Vandiver, A. J. York, and William 
Baldwin. 


124 


The number of members who entered into this organi¬ 
zation was fifteen, whose names follow: Sarah A. Brown, 
Ann Gwinn, Sarah A. Smith, Sarah A. Thomas, W. W. 
Thomas, Mary F. Thomas, Margaret Crawford, Henry 
Pierce, Nancy A. Pierce, John Pierce, Solomon Gilles¬ 
pie, Elizabeth Gillespie, Mary E. Gillespie and L. C. 
Gillespie. 

The record shows that on the same day after the 
presbytery had closed, the church met in conference 
and appointed William Baldwin as a Moderator pro 
tern, and then opened the door of the church and re¬ 
ceived by letter Rev. Jesse Brown. The church met in 
conference the day following, and elected Jesse Brown 
as their first pastor, and he continued to serve them as 
such until the close of the year 1886, when H. F. Stovall 
and M. E. Porter were elected jointly as their pastors. 

The following is a brief history of the church from 
the time she was constituted in 1872, written by T. A. 
McFarland, and published in the Associational minutes 
of 1887: 

The following named brethren have been elected and 
ordained Deacons on the dates following: John Y. Bur¬ 
gess, W. W. Thomas, W. J. Pearman, J. W. Wilson, 
ordained March 4th, 1876; A. M. Farr and R. W. Wal¬ 
ters, ordained Nov. 17, 1896; C. A. Thomas, W. M. 
Littleton, H. R. Shirley and T. E. Ertsberger, ordained 
Sept. 18, 1903. 

The first Clerk was A. L. Stevenson, who served in 
that capacity until June, 1875. Since then the follow¬ 
ing have served as Clerk in the following order: Noel 
Dyar, W. C. Wilson, W. E. Avery, W. J. Pearman, 
B. F. Ayers, S. F. Pearman, I. D. Aderhold, S. T. 
Price and Ben Crawford, who is Clerk at the present 
time. 

J. W. Wilson was licensed to preach in April, 1875. 
W. J. Pearman, now an active minister living in South 
Georgia, was ordained to the full functions of the Gospel 
Ministry by this church on October 15, 1897. Accord¬ 
ing to the records so far as they are obtainable, it appears 
that this (like all other churches) has had trouble in 
125 


cases of discipline; and while she has never had at any¬ 
time any great ingatherings, she has always enjoyed 
a steady and healthy growth. The church has been 
served as pastor by the following named ministers: 

Jesse Brown, from 1872 to Dec., 1886; H. F. Stovall 
and M. E. Porter, from Dec., 1887, to Dec., 1893; H. F. 
Stovall from Dec., 1893, to Dec., 1901; S. E. Macomson 
from Dec., 1901, to Dec., 1906; F. M. Estes from Dec., 
1906, to Dec., 1907; H. F. Stovall in 1909; W. T. Land 
from Dec., 1909, to January, 1916; R. M. Maret from 
Dec., 1916, to Dec., 1918; G. W. Gamer from Dec., 
1918, to Dec., 1922; E. B. Collins from Dec., 1922, to 
Sept., 1923. 

According to the Associational minutes of 1922, the 
present membership of the church is 349. 


LIBERTY HILL 

This church is in Stephens County, Ga., five miles 
South of Toccoa, on the public road leading from Carnes- 
ville to Toccoa, on the Elberton Rail Road. The church 
was constituted on the 8th day of February, 1856, by a 
presbytery composed of John A. Davis, an ordained 
minister, and J. L. Mulkey, a licensed minister, and 
Deacons Lewis Walters, Jeremiah Cleveland, Felix 
Brackett and John Eskew. The church was organized 
with thirty members, whose names cannot now be ob¬ 
tained. On the same day John A. Davis was installed 
as pastor, and continued to serve the church in that 
capacity until January, 1865, at which time T. G. Under¬ 
wood became pastor and served as such to the close of 
that year. The record is silent as to who was pastor for 
1866. In December, 1866, William Kelly was chosen 
pastor and served to Dec., 1869; Thomas Burgess was 
then chosen and served to Dec., 1871; James H. Sulli¬ 
van was then elected pastor and served to Nov., 1873; 
E. L. Sisk was then chosen and served to April, 1875, 
when T. G. Underwood was again chosen and served 
126 


to Dec., 1885; G. F. Fuller was then chosen and served 
as pastor to the close of the year 1886, when T. G. 
Underwood was again chosen and served to Dec., 1890; 
W. W. Stowe became pastor January 1, 1891, and 
served until Dec., 1899. C. T. Burgess was pastor 1900 
and 1901. W. J. Purcell became pastor January 1st, 
1902, which position he filled to the satisfaction of the 
church to the time of his death, Dec. 5,1923. 

The record shows that this church has held the reins 
of discipline with a firm and steady grasp, and the mem¬ 
bership has grown from year to year until today her 
present membership is 356. 

In June or July, 1890, J. J. Hayes, who had served 
the church as Deacon from the time she was constituted, 
and one of the oldest members, came to the church and 
conducted the prayer service, walked out of the house 
into the yard, spoke to a few and was seen to stagger. 
Some brethren ran and caught him, but he died in a 
few minutes, almost without a groan. This, of course, 
spread confusion in the large congregation, which can 
be better conceived than described. It may be truly 
said of Deacon Hayes that ever faithful in life, he died 
at his chosen post of duty. 

J. J. Hayes, S. A. Porter, James Isbell, Caleb Taylor, 

A. F. Bloodworth, S. Bobo, W. C. Taylor, John Wiley, 

D. B. Eskew, W. A. Brock, J. A. Porter, -Mosely, 

B. J. Martin, G. P. Williams, E. H. Edward, W. L. 
Smith, S. M. Defoor, H. F. Sayer, J. V. Jackson and 
W. O. Coe, have served as Deacons. 

The following brethren have served the church as 
Clerk: Caleb Taylor, T. C. Hayes, G. T. Fuller, S. A. 
Porter, W. C. Taylor, John R. Pulliam, G. W. Hayes, 
The present clerk is J. S. Aderhold. 

This is a wealthy church, composed of thrifty farmers, 
and is capable of accomplishing great things for the 
Master’s cause. G. F. Fuller and Sherman Williams 
were ordained to the ministry by this church. 


127 



CURRAHEE 


According to the Associational minutes of 1861, at 
the session at Indian Creek, this church was received 
into the union. M. M. Sanders and William Busha were 
the first delegates. The church must have been con¬ 
stituted sometime between the sessions of 1860 and 1861. 
The minutes state that the church was “a new constitu¬ 
tion.” The church never was very prosperous, and 
ceased to hold any regular service more than fifty years 
ago. When the writer of this brief sketch was a very 
young minister, he and other ministers preached for 
them occasionally. Just when the church became extinct 
is uncertain. There is no record obtainable. According 
to tradition, a man by the name of Landers carried the 
records with him to Texas, in 1867 or 1868. 

The above is written partly from memory and partly 
from tradition, and may be partly true and partly other¬ 
wise, for tradition is unreliable, and memory is treacher¬ 
ous. This brief sketch is written that the present and 
future generations may know that there had been a 
people in that community who constituted and tried to 
keep up a church. The causes which led to the dissolu¬ 
tion of the church would only revive unpleasant mem¬ 
ories, and at the same time would be of no special 
interest to the reader. 

The present Currahee Church is situated on the public 
road leading by the Currahee Mountain from Toccoa to 
Homer, and is about one-half mile south of the site where 
the former Currahee Meeting House stood. The church 
was constituted on the 8th day of October, 1908. The 
following ministers and deacons composed the presby¬ 
tery: L. B. Norton, R. L. Davis, W. J. Purcell, J. F. 
Porter, W. L. James, Ministers; H. A. Davis, J. K. 
Nunnally, Isaac Hosea, G. W. Thomason, W. C. Taylor, 
T. L. Thomason and M. H. Smith, Deacons. 
p The church as constituted was composed of twenty- 
six members, whose names are not on the record. The 
name * 4 Currahee” was given the church, and R. L. 

128 


Davis was elected pastor, and W. A. Davis was elected 
clerk. The present house was built in 1910, and dedi¬ 
cated to the service of God on the fourth Sunday in 
August following. The dedication sermon was preached 
by J. F. Goode, from Revelation 22, “Worship 
God.” 

R. L. Davis continued his relation with the church as 
pastor until Dec., 1919. Paul Sayer then became pastor 
and served to August, 1920. The church then called 
W. T. Land, of South Carolina, who went in and out 
before the church until August, 1923. Brother Land’s 
pastorate was unfortunate, both for him and the church. 
Though a man of pleasing address and some degree of 
ability, he seemed to have conceived a dislike for the 
religious enterprises fostered by the Association, and 
especially for the Sunday School literature of the South¬ 
ern Baptist Convention. He was also accused of making 
a hobby of his belief that baptism was essential to 
salvation. 

At the September conference, 1922, we find the follow¬ 
ing on the record: 

Motion made and carried to reject all Sunday School literature 
for the present, and study the Bible and Testament. 

The Association refused to seat her delegates at the 
session in 1922 and in August, 1923. After three years 
of turmoil and strife Mr. Land was formally requested to 
resign. The church then agreed in conference to attach 
her Articles of Faith to her Associational letter, and 
again renew her relation with the body, which she ac¬ 
cordingly did, and was heartily welcomed. It is now to 
be hoped that having learned her lesson, that from this 
time forth she will “stand in the way, and see and ask 
for the old paths, which are the good ways, and walk 
therein.” 

The following brethren have served the church as 
Deacons: E. L. Stowe, W. H. Halcomb. (Walter Pitts, 
C. E. Pass, C. C. Garland and R. L. Bentley were 
ordained to the Deaconship at this church.) 

F. M. Wilbanks, J. C. Aired, T. M. Banks and R. L. 

129 


Bentley have served the church as Clerk. R. L. Bentley 
is the present Clerk. 

According to the minutes of the Association of 1922, 
the present membership is 125. The present outlook 
appears brighter than at any time in the last three 
years. 


DOUBLE BRANCH 

This church, situated about six miles east of Carnes- 
ville, and about four miles West of Canon, Ga., is one 
of the oldest churches in the Association, and was one 
that formed the body in 1818, and was represented by 
C. Dunahoo and J. A. Attaway. No record can be 
found when the church was constituted, but according 
to Benedict’s History of the Baptist Denomination, it 
was constituted in the year 1801. But by whom and 
what number constituted we are unable to learn. She 
was a member of the Sarepta Association, held at the 
Fork of Broad River, Madison County, Ga., Oct. 24th, 
1812, numbering nineteen members; John Sandridge 
was their minister. March 20th, 1819, the church chose 
Rev. Francis Calloway as their pastor, but how long 
he served them as such we are unable to ascertain from 
the record. October 13th, 1820, a presbytery was or¬ 
ganized at the church, and ordained Samuel F. Jarrett 
to the ministry, and Jonathan Halcomb as Deacon. 
The record does not state who was pastor after Francis 
Calloway, but Sanders W. Whitlow and his sister, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Greene, both now deceased, said that John 
A. Davis was the regular pastor for about fifteen years. 
December 15th, 1849, Samuel B. Sanders was chosen 
pastor of the church and continued as such until Decem¬ 
ber, 1852, when John G. York was chosen pastor, and 
continued as such until Nov. 11th, 1855. December 
5th, 1856, John H. Aderhold was chosen pastor and 
served the church until October, 1858; Samuel Isbell 
was next chosen pastor and continued as such to October 
13, 1860, when John A. Davis was again chosen pastor 
130 


for the year 1861; W. F. Bowers was then chosen, and 
continued to serve the church as pastor to Dec., 1866. 
A. C. Stephenson was chosen pastor for the year 1867, 
when Jesse Brown was chosen, and continued to serve 
the church until November, 1872; J. J. Wilson was 
then called, and served as such until October 30, 1874. 
H. M. Waters was next chosen, and served to February, 
1879; J. R. Ivie was then called, and served to December, 
1880. 

The record shows that the following named brethren 
have served as clerk: Thomas H. Murdock was clerk 
in 1847, and how long before that time we are unable 
to learn, he being the first clerk the record shows. From 
1880 to January, 1909, there is no record. What the 
church did during this twenty-nine years is buried in 
oblivion. 

In January, 1909, the name of H. David Minyard ap¬ 
pears as Moderator, and J. G. Sewell as Clerk. It 
appears H. D. Minyard continued his relation with the 
church as pastor from 1909 to 1911, when P. F. Craw¬ 
ford became pastor and served the church in that capac¬ 
ity until Dec., 1913, when T. J. Rucker became pastor 
and continued as such to Dec., 1914; M. A. Love was 
then called and served the church to March, 1917; E. C. 
Shirley then became pastor, and served until Dec., 1920, 
when E. L. Harrison was called and served to Dec., 
1921. H. F. Stovall was then called, and is their pres¬ 
ent pastor. 

Since writing the foregoing it occurs to my mind that 
P. B. Mitchell served as pastor in the first years of the 
present century. I have no recollection of how long he 
served the church. He was succeeded by C. T. Burgess, 
who continued as pastor for four years. As to who 
served the church in the capacity of clerk from the time 
she was constituted in 1801, we have no means of ascer¬ 
taining. The only record at hand shows the names of 
the following brethren who have served the church in 
that capacity in later years: Sanders W. Whitlow, J. G. 
W. Sewell, J. L. Davis, S. B. Teat, W. A. Walker, W. S. 
Ayers, Grady Davis and Homer Starrett. 

131 


The following named brethren have served the church 
as clerk: Thomas H. Murdock, Sanders W. Whitlow, 
J. G. Sewell, T. G. Davis, W. A. Hamby, S. 0. Teat, 
Raymond Agnew, and Ernest Jackson, the present clerk. 

According to the Associational minutes the Association 
has held five sessions with this church, as follows: 1820, 
1844, 1860, 1878 and 1898. 

A little help from the State Mission Board would be 
money wisely expended. 


TOMS CREEK 

The first preaching service at this place was by H. F. 
Stovall in the schoolhouse near where the meeting house 
now stands. It was by his preaching and efforts that 
the church was constituted. From time to time he 
preached at this place for a year or more. The church 
was constituted on the 17th day of October, 1917. The 
presbytery was composed of the following named 
brethren: H. F. Stovall, C. T. Brown, P. F. Crawford, 
M. A. Love, W. T. Halcomb, J. F. Porter, W. L. James, 
ministers. The number of members who entered into the 
organization was 76, who had taken letters from Lib¬ 
erty Hill, Eastanollee, Clarks Creek and Broad River. 
Their names are not recorded. On the same day H. F. 
Stovall was installed as pastor, and W. A. Collins was 
elected clerk. Brother Stovall continued his relation 
with the church as pastor until Dec., 1917, when he 
tendered his resignation. Under his administration the 
church flourished and many were added to the church 
by experience and baptism. The church was more pros¬ 
perous during these years than she has ever been since. 
In December, 1917, J. F. Goode was called for half time, 
and his salary was fixed by the church at $150.00. 
Everything went smoothly through the spring and sum¬ 
mer months. At the annual protracted meeting in 
August, about 15 were added to the church by experi¬ 
ence and baptism. The church appeared to be on an 
132 


upward tendency, and her prospect for the future un¬ 
usually bright. At the September conference the 
church voted unanimously to continue the present pastor 
for 1919, “Provided he would take the church for what 
they saw fit to give him.” This he declined to do, 
and the church was without a pastor until April. These 
four months were spent in a general wrangle. The 
names of several preachers were suggested and the 
preachers consulted. One of the preachers consented, 
told the parties who went to see him that “if it didn’t 
suit a church to promise what she would pay, the 
preacher ought not to require it, that he never did.” 
One of the deacons said he “had never seen any scrip¬ 
ture for promising what you would pay a preacher.” If 
he had ever seen the Ten Commandments he had for¬ 
gotten the book and chapter where they could be found. 

E. K. Matthews, W. L. Collins and J. I. Adams, dea¬ 
cons, stood firm all this time, contending that no self- 
respecting minister ought to be expected to obligate 
himself without any obligation upon the part of the 
church. Finally, in April, after four months of strife, 
E. K. Matthews and another man held a consultation. 
Brother Matthews then induced one of the deacons to 
suggest the name of C. T. Burgess. Brother Matthews 
agreed to the suggestion. Brother Burgess was invited 
to come and preach the following Saturday and Sun¬ 
day. The former pastor held a conference with him, 
stating the facts just as they were. The church met in 
conference (a regular conference this time) and called 
Brother Burgess, and fixed his salary at $125.00 for the 
remainder of the year. The deacon who had never seen 
any scripture for promising what a church would pay 
her pastor, joining heartily in this action. 

Only a few members of the church ever knew who 
was responsible for the church being able to secure the 
service of Brother Burgess. Thus ended a trouble that 
would have proven disastrous to the church had Brother 
Matthews, Brother Adams and Brother Collins been 
“firey” men. Such men are the salt of the earth. 
From that time to the present, the church fixes her 
133 


pastor’s salary. Brother Burgess continued his relation 
with the church as pastor until Dec., 1920, when B. H. 
Collins was called at a salary of $400.00 for one Sunday 
in each month. The church seems to have learned her 
lesson, and is now a prosperous church under the effi¬ 
cient administration of the present pastor. 

The following named brethren have been ordained to 
the office of deacon by this church: E. K. Matthews, 
J. V. Jordan, W. L. Collins, J. I. Adams, A. J. Watson, 
A. L. Herron and E. L. Matthews. Ordained Nov. 14, 
1913. 

John K. Williams was ordained to the ministry Dec. 
30, 1916. 

W. L. Collins has served as clerk from the time the 
church was constituted until Dec., 1922. Lawrence 
Adams is the present clerk. 

The membership of the church at the present time 
is 253. 


SHILOH 


This church is situated about four miles north of 
Toccoa, on the public road leading from Toccoa by the 
‘ ‘ Murphy Place. ’ ’ It was constituted on the fourth day 
of May, 1881. The following named brethren formed 
the presbytery: W. J. Purcell and Gr. W. Carroll, min¬ 
isters; and C. F. Ayers and B. E. Edge, deacons. The 
following persons entered into the constitution: 


Males 
A. H. Terrell 
Henry M. Duke 
J. C. Aired 
R. E. Smith 
W. H. Sumpter 


Females 
Martha J. Duke 
Violet Whitehead 
Martha S. Sumpter 
Mary Jane Aired 
C. A. Wood 
W. T. Aired 
C. M. Terrell 
Catherine Hunter 
L. A. Hunter 


W. J. Purcell was the first pastor and served the 
church in that capacity from the time of her constitu- 
134 


tion for the balance of the year 1881-1882, and perhaps 
for a longer period, there being no further record until 
1901. William Franklin was pastor for 1902-1903; R. L. 
Whitmire was pastor in 1904-1905; H. F. Stovall was 
next chosen, and served as such to December, 1912, when 
W. W. Stowe was called, and served the church to the 
time of his death, in Dec., 1915. E. L. Sisk was next 
called, and served to the time of his death, in March, 
1916, when S. A. Rothell was pastor from March, 1916, 
to January 1st, 1917, when H. F. Stovall was again 
called and served until December, 1918; W. T. Halcomb 
was then called, and served to Dec., 1919. J. W. Farmer 
was next called, and served to Dec., 1920, when R. L. 
Whitmire was called and served to Dec., 1921. Solomon 
Free was next called, and served to Dec., 1922, when 
S. A. Rothell was again called and is pastor at the 
present time. 

B. E. Edge became a member of this church as a 
deacon from New Hope. W. W. Meeks, D. Jarrett, 
Jr., and Jackson Kesler were ordained by this church as 
deacons July 3, 1920. Who served the church as deacons 
prior to this time (with the exception of Brother Edge) 
we have no means of ascertaining. 

The following named brethren have served as clerk: 
B. E. Edge, T. J. Rothell, Stephen Meeks, A. L. Moore 
and Frank Hosea, the present clerk. Others perhaps 
have served in this capacity, but if so their names dis¬ 
appeared when the record was destroyed or lost. The 
church now numbers 95 members. Though small in 
number when compared with some other churches, she 
seems, according to the mutilated record at hand, to be 
a more active missionary body in proportion to member¬ 
ship than some churches who are much stronger bodies. 
The church claims a few very wealthy members, while 
a large majority of the members are very poor. The poor 
contribute what they can, and the wealthy supply what 
is lacking. A small band of noble Christian men and 
women worship at Shiloh and keep house for God. 


135 


PLEASANT GROVE 

The Pleasant Grove Church is situated in Franklin 
County, Ga., near the Elberton Rail Road, one and one- 
half miles South of Lavonia, and was constituted on the 
16th day of May, 1856, by a presbytery composed of 
the following brethren: John G. York and S. B. Sanders, 
ministers; and Joseph Jackson, George Reed, John Mc¬ 
Farland, Lewis Childs and Robert Tribble, deacons. The 
number of members who entered into this organization 
was thirteen, whose names are as follows: L. N. Tribble, 

R. D. Adams (a deacon), A. F. Walters, Samuel White, 
Thomas P. Jones, Abner Burgess, Elvaney J. Tribble, 
Margaret Jones and Yina Walters. Whether any of 
the members who went into this organization are still 
living, we know not, but tradition says that Samuel B. 
Sanders preached at a brush arbor not far from where 
the meeting house now stands, during the summer 
months for two years before the church was constituted, 
which was quite a convenience to the brethren and sis¬ 
ters who were members of Shoal Creek, Cannons and 
Double Branch churches. The minutes show that they 
held their first conference on the 17th day of May, 1856, 
the day following their organization. Elder S. B. San¬ 
ders was appointed Moderator pro tern, and W. R. 
Poole, Clerk, pro tern, then proceeded to elect a perma¬ 
nent Clerk. L. N. Tribble was elected permanent Clerk, 
and they went into an election for a pastor, and elected 

S. B. Sanders for their first pastor, who served the 
church in that capacity to January, 1866. James T. W. 
Vernon was then called and served as pastor until Janu¬ 
ary, 1871. Jesse Brown was next called and served until 
January, 1872; H. M. Barton served to January, 1873, 
then James H. Sullivan served to January, 1875; I. H. 
Goss next served to April, 1877, then J. R. Ivie served 
to January, 1880; John D. Adams served until Janu¬ 
ary, 1883; then J esse Brown was again called and served 
until January, 1886, when L. T. Weldon was called and 
served to January, 1887; P. F. Crawford was next called 
and served until January, 1888. J. H. McMullin next 

136 


served until January, 1890; J. H. Ayers then served to 
January, 1892, when J. T. W. Vernon was again called 
and served to January, 1894. L. T. Weldon was again 
called and served to January, 1896; W. J. Purcell served 
to January, 1900; C. T. Burgess to January, 1904; R. M. 
Maret from January, 1904, to January, 1908. W. J. 
Purcell was called again, and served to January, 1910, 
when C. T. Brown was called and served to January, 
1914; J. P. Dendy was then called and served to Janu¬ 
ary, 1916. T. M. Galphin was next called and served 
until January, 1917, when Arthur Jackson was called 
and served to January, 1918. C. M. Cloud was next 
called and served to January, 1920. E. L. Harrison 
was next called and served to December, 1922. E. E. 
Woodson was next called, and is pastor at the present 
time. , 

The following named brethren have been ordained to 
the ministry by this church: Pratt Ford, March 29, 
1914; Ernest Campbell, on the fifth Sunday in August, 
1914. 

The following brethren have been ordained as deacons : 
Samuel White, August 16, 1856; L. N. Tribble and Sam¬ 
uel Vaughn, August 17, 1866; John B. Mauldin, July 
20, 1878; Hezekiah Hughes and R. M. Adams, August 
19, 1881; C. A. McClain, John Williams, James Hewin, 
A. J. Grubbs, January 1, 1914; J. A. Mauldin, J. O. 
King, R. A. Vaughn, Richard Grubbs, March 7, 1921. 

L. N. Tribble was elected clerk at their first conference, 
and served the church in that capacity until 1878, when 
S. G. Childs was elected and served until July, 1879. 
H. M. T. Jackson was then elected and served until 
1886, and perhaps for a longer time. The next clerk 
whose name appears is that of W. O. Tribble, followed 
by R. C. Allen; next J. M. Wells, then J. B. Mauldin, 
followed by W. T. Adams. C. A. McClain is the present 
clerk. 

The records show that like all other churches, she has 
had some cases of discipline which doubtless caused some 
unpleasantness, but has continued to grow and flourish. 
Perhaps there is no one now living who went into the 
137 


constitution of the church, but there is not a doubt that 
in the hearts of their children, grandchildren, and great¬ 
grandchildren, they still live. 

The present membership of the church is 401. She 
supports every enterprise fostered by the Convention, 
and pays her pastor $600.00 for half time, and will 
doubtless go on to greater attainments than she has yet 
reached. 


FAIRVIEW 

This church is situated on the Carnesville and Lavonia 
public road, four miles west of Lavonia, and six miles 
east of Carnesville; and is the youngest church in the 
Tugalo Association. The church was constituted on the 
17th day of February, 1917, by the following named 
presbytery: C. T. Brown and R. W. Eubanks, Minis¬ 
ters. The following named persons went into the organi¬ 
zation of the church as charter members: J. G. W. 
Sewell, F. L. Sewell, D. H. Vaughn, Malissa Vaughn, 
Fred Vaughn, Ferdie Vaughn, Francis D. Vaughn, John 
Williams, Fanny Williams, Thomas W. Rice, Dora Rice, 
Julia A. Hamby, W. A. Hamby, J. R. Hamby, Mattie 
Hamby, J. T. Sewell, Zona Sewell, G. C. Maxwell, Mrs. 
Maxwell, Milly Maxwell—23 in all. 

On the same day that the church was constituted, 
T. M. Galphin was chosen as pastor, and served the 
church to the close of the year 1917. C. T. T. Brown 
was then chosen for half time, and has continued in 
that capacity to the present. 

The following named brethren have served and are 
now in the service of the church as Deacons: John 
Williams, G. C. Maxwell, W. A. Hamby, T. B. Harrison, 
J. P. Aderhold, H. R. Shirley, S. H. Floyd, G. R. Har¬ 
rison, Fred Vaughn, Dewy L. Shirley. J. G. W. Sewell 
was the first Clerk, and S. T. Price is the Clerk at 
present. 

This church is and has been from the time she was 
organized to the present, an unusually liberal contributor 
138 


to every religions enterprise fostered by the Convention. 
She is surrounded by a fine farming country, owns a 
commodious house of worship, keeps up an evergreen 
Sunday School, and pays her pastor $1050.00 per annum 
for half time. Her present membership is 108. If this 
church of 108 members can pay her pastor $1050.00 
for half time and contribute proportionately to all re¬ 
ligious enterprises, what could some of our great, strong 
churches do if they were only awake? It appears from 
what she has done and is now doing, that her members 
weigh as well as count. 


LIBERTY 

This church is situated one and one-half miles below 
Carnesville, Ga., on the National Highway leading from 
Carnesville to Canon, Ga. The church was constituted 
in a school house, which stood about two miles west of 
where the meeting-house now stands, on the public road 
known as the “Harrison Bridge road,” on the 9th day 
of September, 1886. The presbytery was composed of 
M. M. Crow and J. H. Oliver, Ministers. The following 
named persons went into the constitution as charter 
members: 

J. M. Bussum, J. D. Allen, William Kussum, William Hubbard, 
S. E. Allen, S. N. Miller, M. O. Bussum, M. A. Bussum, N. C. 
Hubbard, E. C. Hickman, Lou Bennett, M. B. Bussum and M. A. 
Bobertson—thirteen in all. 

J. L. Fields was the first pastor, and served as 
such until Dec., 1887. W. M. Rampley served as pastor 
for the year 1888, when A. J. Cobb was called and 
served to Dec., 1889. G. W. Carroll was next called, 
and served until Dec., 1891, when M. E. Porter was 
called and served until Dec., 1895. S. E. Macomson 
was then called and served until Dec., 1896; W. W. 
Stowe next served until Dec., 1901, when J. F. Goode 
was called and served to Sept., 1910, when he tendered 
his resignation, and S. E. Macomson was again called 
139 


and served until 1921; C. T. Burgess was then called and 
is the present pastor. 

There is no record of who served the church during 
former years as her deacons. The present deacons are: 
V. A. Crawford, Jefferson Whitlow, J. A. Shirley, James 
Browning, Lee Murphy, William Bailey and Parker 
J ames. 

The clerks have been: Francis Hubbard, 1886; R. W. 
Allen, 1887; T. W. Aaron, 1888; J. E. Spears, 1889- 
1895; J. N. Farrow, 1896-1908; I. B. Hulsey, 1909-1910; 
C. W. Jones, 1911; J. E. Spears, 1917. M. T. Whitlow 
is the present clerk, 1923. 

In 1887 A. J. Neal gave the lot where the present 
house is situated, and was a liberal contributor to the 
building of the house now occupied by the church. Later, 
during the writer’s connection with her as pastor, the 
house was enlarged and ceiled, and a little later was 
painted on the outside. The church at that time was a 
regular contributor to every enterprise fostered by the 
Association. H. D. Minyard, now a prominent minister 
in South Georgia, was ordained by this church, but there 
is no record of his being set apart to the ministry. 
Baptists are a great people to make history, and almost 
as great in its destruction. 

The present membership is 246. 


CARNESVILLE 

(Formerly known as New Carnesville) 

The following brief sketch of this church is written 
partly from a very brief outline of the church furnished 
by S. M. Ayers, and partly from memory. 

This church was constituted in 1887, but the exact 
date is uncertain. Who was the constituting presbytery, 
who were the charter members, who were the first deacons 
and clerks, no one can tell. In fact, there is no way 
to obtain this much desired information. The records 
were all destroyed when J. M. Phillips ’ house was burned 
140 


in 1897. If my memory is not at fault, P. F. Crawford 

was the first pastor. -Beck was called in Dec., 1888, 

and served to Dec., 1892. J. F. Goode was then called 
and was pastor in 1893, when J. G. Christian was called 
and served to Dec., 1896, when E. L. Sisk was called 
and served to Dec., 1897. I have no recollection of who 
was pastor until M. M. Riley became pastor, in 1903 or 
1904. J. A. Bell was next called, and I think served 
until Dec., 1906. 

The following was furnished, as above stated, by 
S. M. Ayers: 1907, W. C. Taylor, Pastor, L. F. Len- 
hardt, Clerk; 1908, C. A. Cox, Pastor, L. F. Lenhardt 
continued as clerk; 1909-1910, C. T. Burgess, Pastor; 
1911-1912, T. J. Rucker, Pastor; 1913-1914, T. J. Rob¬ 
erts, Pastor; 1915-1917, A. W. Bussey, Pastor; 

1918-1919, G. W. Bussey, Pastor; 1920, R. P. Ford, 
Pastor. 

This church has never been a strong church, numeri¬ 
cally, but it has always been a very active church. It 
has consistently supported every religious enterprise fos¬ 
tered by the Convention; has always kept up a good 
Sunday School, superintended by that veteran Sunday 
School man of the Tugalo Association, S. M. Ayers, who 
for years was president of the Sunday School Conven¬ 
tion, and it may be truthfully said that the Sunday 
School cause owes more of its present success to him 
than to any other one man in the Association. The 
church has been very fortunate in securing the services 
of able men as her pastors, and (be it said to her ever¬ 
lasting credit, what cannot be said to the credit of a 
great many of our churches) she has always paid her 
pastor a reasonable salary. The present membership 
is 87. 

J. M. Phillips went into the constitution of the church 
as a deacon; who else has served as deacons, or who 
are the present acting deacons, I do not know. 

As before stated, this imperfect sketch is written partly 
from memory and partly from a brief outline of the 
church furnished the writer by S. M. Ayers, the oldest 
member of the church now living. 

141 



BROAD RIVER 


This church is located seven miles north of Carnes- 
ville, Ga., and was constituted in May, 1872. William 
Kelly, D. H. Payne, Thomas Burgess, Ministers, and 
M. W. Gillespie, J. J. Hayes and W. R. P. Wilbanks, 
Deacons. There were nineteen members who entered into 
this organization, namely: 

W. L. McKee, S. M. McKee, T. W. Davis and wife, John Hig¬ 
ginbotham, S. A. Porter and wife, W. S. White and wife, Marion 
Browning and wife, W. F. Wheeler and wife, Martha H. Teat, 
Nancy L. Vandiver, B. P. Vandiver and wife, and Nancy M. S. 
Vandiver. 

David H. Payne was the first pastor, and served until 
Dec., 1873. Jesse Brown was next chosen and served to 
Dec., 1878, when David H. Payne was again chosen and 
served to Dec., 1881. Jesse Brown was again chosen and 
served until Dec., 1882. L. B. Norton was then chosen 
and served to Dec., 1885. Jeremiah Heaton was next 
chosen and served to the time of his death in 1886. 
T. G. Underwood was next chosen and served the church 
until the time of his death, Nov. 30, 1898. S. A. Porter 
and B. P. Vandiver went into the organization as deacons. 

W. S. White and W. I. P. Vandiver were ordained to 
the deaconship by this church. T. C. Ayers was re¬ 
ceived into this church as a deacon. 

The following named brethren have served the church 
as clerk in the order of their names: B. P. Vandiver, 
W. 0. C. Vassar, W. J. Brown, D. B. Eskew, John W. 
McGuffin and B. S. M. Vandiver. 

Thus far the record has been followed, and we find no 
further record of what the church did from this date, 
Sept., 1887, until January 24, 1917. I now write from 
memory. After the death of T. G. Underwood, the 
church called W. J. Purcell, who served one year. In 
Dec., 1899, W. W. Stowe was called and served until the 
time of his death, in Dec., 1915. W. T. Halcomb was 
then called and has served the church to the present 
time. Who has served the church as clerk during these 
142 


thirty years, we have no way of ascertaining. Ernest 
Kelly was set apart to the full functions of the Gospel 
ministry by this church in June, 1911. The foregoing 
from September, 1887, to January, 1917, is written ex¬ 
clusively from memory, and may contain some slight 
errors, but is approximately correct. 

January 24, 1917, the name of W. T. Halcomb first 
appears as Moderator, and R. T. Broome as church clerk. 
At the June conference, 1922, the record states that a 
motion was carried to ordain G. C. Wilson to the min¬ 
istry, on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in July. 
There is no record of his being ordained at that time, 
or at any other time. It is generally known that he 
was ordained to the ministry, but the church record 
ought to state the date and who composed the ordaining 
presbytery. Since 1917 the following named brethren 
have served the church as clerk: H. I. Lee, L. M. Tilly, 
J. T. Bentley, E. C. Duvall and John 0. Kelly, who is 
now acting clerk. 

The church has during her existence of fifty-one years 
grown from 19 to 191 members. She supports all causes 
fostered by the Convention, and is now more actively 
engaged in mission work than ever before. 


CLARKS CREEK 

This church is situated on Clarks Creek, Franklin 
County, Ga., about seven miles Northeast of Carnesville, 
and was constituted on the tenth day of December, 1824, 
by a presbytery composed of the following named 
brethren: Francis Calloway, John Cleveland, John 
Sandridge and John Bramlett, Ministers, and Cornelius 
Dunahoo, Benjamin Childs, James Jackson, Joseph 
Chandler and Lewis D. Holsombody, Deacons. The num¬ 
ber of members who went into this organization was 
eighteen, whose names are as follows: 

Henry J. Mitchell, John McNeal, Ephraim Fulgum, George 
Goody, James Dunn, William Mitchell, David Smith, Francis 

143 


MeNeal, Delsby Fulgum, Sarah Pulliam, Sarah Smith, Elizabeth 
Fulgum, Elizabeth Mitchell, Lucinda Dunn, Lazia Hamby, Eliza¬ 
beth Garner, Sr., and Elizabeth Garner, Jr. 

Old Sister Polly Hamby, who died in 1884, stated 
to T. A. McFarland, who was a member of this church 
at that time, and was securing data for a history of 
the church, that prior to the organization of the church 
they acted in a church capacity, as an arm of the Poplar 
Springs Church, and met at a place called Union Meet¬ 
ing House, on little Clarks Creek, about one mile East 
of where the church house now stands, at which place 
the church was constituted, and given the name of 
Clarks Creek, and in 1829 they built a new house on 
the plat of ground where the church now stands. 

The minutes do not state who was chosen pastor at 
the time the church was constituted, but it appears that 
John Bramlett served them as pastor, and Henry J. 
Mitchell as clerk, until June of the year 1829, when 
James Smith became pastor and served as such till 
August, 1831, at which time Matthew Vandiver was 
chosen and served until Sept., 1832. Lewis Ballard was 
next called and served the church as pastor until March, 
1836, when Matthew Vandiver was again chosen and 
served the church as pastor until January, 1845. Jacob 
Burroughs was next chosen and served until June, 1846. 
John Stoner was next chosen, and served until March, 
1847. C. Crow was chosen and served until 1848. H. M. 
Barton was next chosen, and served until 1849, when 
Lewis Chambers was chosen and served until October, 
1850. Samuel Sanders was next chosen and served until 
Jan., 1851. John G. York was next chosen and served 
the church as pastor until 1859, when Samuel Sanders 
was again called and served until 1864, when David H. 
Payne was called and served until Dec., 1869; then 
Thomas Burgess was called and served to December, 
1871; David H. Payne was called again and served to 
Dec., 1874; J. H. Sullivan then served until Dec., 1875; 

I. H. Goss was called and served until Dec., 1879; J. F. 
Goode was next called and served until Dec., 1880, when 

J. F. Goode and T. G. Underwood were chosen and served 

144 


till Dec., 1881; then David H. Payne was again called 
and was continued as pastor until the time of his death, 
in June, 1883. T. G. Underwood was then chosen and 
served until Dec., 1887, when J. H. Ayers was chosen 
and served the church one year; W. J. Purcell was then 
called. How long he served I am not informed, for I 
am now writing from memory. 

If my memory serves me correctly, I think W. J. 
Purcell was pastor for about five years. From about 
this time to 1905 H. F. Stovall and S. E. Macomson 
are the only pastors I remember. How long they served, 
or whether the church had any other pastor than these 
brethren, I am unable to say. J. F. Goode was called 
in Dec., 1905, and served until Dec., 1908. R. M. Maret 
was next called. Later L. K. Parham became pastor 
and served to Dec., 1918. G. W. Garner was next called 
and served till Dec., 1920. J. M. Skelton was next called 
and served till March, 1922, when he left the church to 
accept a call to the Baptist church at Bowman, Ga. My 
recollection is that the church was without a pastor 
for the remainder of the year 1922. H. F. Stovall was 
again called to the pastorate, and entered upon his work 
in January, 1923, and is the pastor at the present time. 

When the church called G. W. Garner, she went to 
half time, and agreed to pay him $800.00 per annum. 
When she called J. M. Skelton, it was said she reduced 
his salary to $600.00 for half time. When she last called 
H. F. Stovall, she went back to one-fourth time, and 
reduced the salary to $200.00. It was a sudden rise 
in 1919, and a tremendous decline in 1923. 

The brethren who have served the church as deacons, 
so far as the record shows, are the following: David 
Smith, Noah Looney, John S. McJunkin, Wiley M. 
Mitchell, Frances McCall, J. G. Eskew, H. C. Stephen¬ 
son, Thomas A. McFarland and John A. Sewell. 

Who have served the church as deacons since 1885, 
or who are the present acting deacons, we are unable 
to state. 

The following brethren have served as clerk: Henry 
P. Mitchell, Samuel McNeal, Samuel McJunkin, E. M. 

145 


Camp, B. P. Vandiver, H. C. Stephenson, T. A. Mc¬ 
Farland, G. A. Brown and T. D. Brown, the present 
clerk. 

Those old veterans of the cross who went into this 
organization, seem to have understood the great work 
which lay out before them, and after making their dec¬ 
laration of faith before each other, and to the world, 
they then gave themselves to each other in a holy covenant 
under a solemn promise to live together in a church 
capacity, to watch over each other, and to search the 
scriptures, and to introduce from time to time such 
rules and regulations as might be necessary to effect 
all the demands of the Blessed Redeemer, which are 
enjoined upon all His followers for the good of each 
other, so as to live for the glory of God and the advance¬ 
ment of his cause here on Earth; and it seems that they 
intended that each and every member who joins himself 
to this church agrees to this solemn covenant and promise 
to each other. Like all other churches this church has 
had many unpleasant cases of discipline. It seems, ac¬ 
cording to their record so far as it is obtainable, that 
drunkenness and revelling, dancing and kindred offenses 
have been the most common. 

There seems to have been some energetic members 
in this church from the time of its constitution down 
to the present; self-sacrificing members, making heroic 
efforts to build up the cause of Christ; so many such 
efforts that we have not space in this brief sketch to 
record them, but we believe that the recording angel has 
put them upon the pages of the Book that will be 
opened at the last great day, when all the universe shall 
be assembled before the great white throne, for no true 
work for God was ever wasted, no true word spoken 
for Him ever failed. The seed sown may not spring up 
in a moment, but there is immortality in it, and the 
harvest will be sure. 


146 


EBENEZER 


This church was constituted on the 20th day of April, 
1849, with a membership of eight, whose names were 
as follows: 

Thomas Westmoreland, John H. Westmoreland, L. G. Westmore¬ 
land, Jacob Whistenent, Elizabeth Whistenent and Mary Morley, 
and two others, whose names do not appear. 

The following named brethren composed the presby¬ 
tery: John A. Davis, James Brown, H. L. Weston, 
T. C. Chambers, ministers; Marshall Wilbanks, R. Scott 
and J. Pitts, deacons. 

The following were jpastors: P. C. Chambers was 
chosen as the first pastor and served as such from the 
time the church was constituted until December, 1858. 
William Kelly was next chosen and served to Dec., 1860. 
Hendricks Hayes was then called to supply the church 
as pastor, and William Kelly as assistant. Hayes having 
enlisted as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Kelly 
continued to serve the church as pastor until Dec., 1865. 
John A. Davis was then called and continued as pastor 
until Dec., 1874. From this time it appears the church 
was without a pastor for fourteen years, and failed to 
hold any regular church meeting. (A division over the 
doctrine of what was at that time erroneously named 
“the reform party,’’ founded and fostered by John A. 
Davis and W. F. Bowers, proved for a time detrimental 
not only to Ebenezer Church, but to the cause generally, 
an effort being made at the session of the Association in 
1886 to divide the Association.) 

The first church meeting held after the rupture was 
on the 26th day of August, 1876, at which time William 
Kelly was again chosen as pastor, and served until 1879, 
when on account of advanced age and declining health, 
he withdrew from the pastorate. G. W. Carroll was 
next chosen and served to Dec., 1886. R. Y. Rider was 
then chosen and served till Dec., 1889. E. P. Stone then 
served until Dec., 1892. Manson Franklin was pastor 
in 1893, until August, and A. M. Davis served the church 
147 


as pastor the remainder of the year. T. J. Stonecypher 
was pastor in 1894; G. W. Carroll was pastor in 1895, 
then G. J. Davis was chosen and served until Dec., 1899. 
W. S. Whitmire was pastor in 1900. G. W. Carroll 
was again chosen and served till Dec., 1901. W. W. 
Stowe was next called and served to Dec., 1907. M. F. 
Aderhold served as pastor for 1908. W. W. Stowe was 
then again called and served until the time of his death, 
in Dec., 1915. J. P. Dendy was next called and served 
to August, 1917, when R. L. Davis was called and served 
to Dec., 1921. W. T. Halcomb was then called, and is 
the pastor at present. 

Thomas Westmoreland, Marshall Wilbanks, Benjamin 
Collins, L. G. Westmoreland, R. P. Westmoreland, Alex¬ 
ander Cheek, S. S. Bobo and M. R. Fuller have served 
the church as deacons. The present acting deacons are: 
Jabel Bell, W. J. Collins and M. B. Collier. 

According to the record the following named brethren 
have served the church as clerk: L. G. Westmoreland, 
Henry Whistenent, William Buchanan, C. L. Westmore¬ 
land, R. P. Westmoreland, J. C. Aired, J. M. Mills, 
W. O. Bobo, M. R. Duvall, W. A. Carlton, W. T. Davis, 
and M. B. Collier, the present clerk. 

Remarks 

John Stoner was ordained to the ministry in this 
church in 1859, and served as temporary supply in the 
absence of the pastor. The church is admirably located 
at Big A., on the national highway leading from Toccoa 
to Martin, and is easily reached from the East, North, 
South and West. Splendid roads lead in each direction. 
She is a contributor to every benevolent enterprise fos¬ 
tered by the Convention; has a flourishing Sunday 
School, and her prospects for continued usefulness are 
bright, indeed. The present membership is approxi¬ 
mately 230. The first meeting house was built of hewed 
logs, about one mile North of where the present house 
now stands, just back of the cemetery on the North 
side of the public road. The cemetery is still used by 
148 


the church as her burial ground. About 1891 a framed 
house was built on the public road near the cemetery, 
which was blown down by a cyclone in 1898. The 
church then built a neat framed building, painted and 
ceiled it, which is the house now occupied by the church 
and spoken of in the beginning of these general re¬ 
marks as located at “Big A.” The church pays her 
pastor, W. T. Halcomb, $200.00 for one Sunday and 
Saturday before, and has had the subject of going 
to two Sundays under consideration. 

CARNES CREEK 

This church was constituted as early as 1874, possibly 
in 1873. Who composed the constituting presbytery 
we have no means of ascertaining, there being no record 
of the church obtainable until January, 1900, when the 
name of G. J. Davis appears as Moderator. What the 
church did from the time she was constituted up to the 
above date, is clouded in an impenetrable fog of igno¬ 
rance, with now and then a straggling ray of light. 
Without any data by which to be guided, we here record 
a few statements which we know to be facts. John Kytle 
was the first pastor of the church, and for a number of 
years, perhaps ten or more. The church first attached 
herself to the Liberty Association, and remained a mem¬ 
ber of that body until the year 1899. She was received 
into the Tugalo Association head with the First Baptist 
church, Toccoa, Ga., in September, 1900. Who succeeded 
John Kytle as pastor or how long he or they served, 
nothing whatever is known. W. W. Stowe was pastor in 
1889; how long prior to this time, or how long after 
this date, we know not, but when we reach January 13, 
1900, we come out into broad open daylight, and have 
a clear record of the pastors for the following years: 
G. J. Davis, 1900-1902; H. F. Stovall, 1903; W. W. 
Stowe, 1904-1909; H. F. Stovall, 1910-1912; R. L. Whit¬ 
mire, 1913; S. E. Macomson, 1914-1920; W. T. Land, 
1921 to March, 1923. 


149 


Their records show that the seeds of discord have 
been sown during the years 1921 and 1922. The church 
abandoned the Sunday School literature of the Southern 
Baptist Convention as early, or perhaps earlier, than 
1920. In 1921-1922 “a motion was carried to abandon 
the literature now in use, published by a publishing 
house in Texas, and take up and study the Testament.” 
“Nov. 11th, 1922, discontinued the Sunday School.” 
“January 13th, 1923, motion carried to use literature 
of Southern Baptist Convention in Sunday School.” At 
the same conference “a motion was made and carried 
asking for Brother Land’s resignation as pastor.” He 
then tendered his resignation, which was accepted. Since 
then the church has been without a pastor, until Sep¬ 
tember, when the church met and called E. H. Kelly 
for the remainder of the year, and also for 1924. 

For the time the church has been without a pastor 
the pulpit has been filled upon invitation of the church 
by J. F. Goode, E. E. Woodson, E. H. Kelly and perhaps 
some others. It is now to be hoped that after nearly three 
years of strife, confusion and division, that the church 
has learned her lesson, and that her members will “hence¬ 
forth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and car¬ 
ried about by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of 
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait 
to deceive.” 

So far as their names are obtainable the following 
named brethren have served the church as deacons: 
Marion Ayers, George Smith, William Meeks, A. L. 
Moore, C. T. Hosea, T. A. Franklin, L. J. Davis, H. F. 
Sayer, W. W. Ayers and John H. Davis. 

The following named brethren have served the church 
as clerk: Marion Ayers, L. F. Coker, T. A. Franklin, 
Stephen Meeks and L. D. Steele, the present clerk. 

The church is located about four miles South of Toccoa, 
on the “Red Hollow Road,” and her membership is com¬ 
posed of a number of well-to-do farmers. They are a 
band of noble, generous, Christian men and women, and 
are capable of accomplishing great things for the Master, 
but they have never been trained. They have been 
150 


supplied by preachers who have in some instances op¬ 
posed our benevolent work and others have been indiffer¬ 
ent, so much so that their influence has really been 
against the work. Consequently the church has never 
been an active missionary body. We are glad to note 
a commendable change or transformation now taking 
place, and doubt not that at an early date this church 
will claim an honored place as one of the active mis¬ 
sionary churches of the Association. 


HOMER 

This church is situated in the village bearing the 
name of Homer, the county site of Banks County, Ga. 
The church was constituted about the year 1869. W. R. 
Goss was the first pastor, and served until Dec., 1870, 

and possibly one or two years longer. - Kimsey 

was next called and served one year. J. J. Wilson was 
then called and served to Dec., 1875, when W. R. Goss 
was again called and served to Dec., 1876. J. F. Goode 
was then called and served to Dec., 1878. E. S. V. 
Bryant then served to some time during the year 1880 
or 1881, when W. L. Pingston was called and served the 
church one year; then Ford Gowder was called and 
served to Dec., 1886, when J. F. Goode was again called 
and served to Dec., 1888; L. J. Duncan was then called 
and served to Dec., 1889; J. F. Goode was again called 
and served to July, 1892, when he tendered his resigna¬ 
tion. J. T. Wise was next called and served the re¬ 
mainder of the year 1892, and perhaps longer. 

From this time to about 1910 little is known of what 
the church was doing. In 1911 J. H. Ayers was chosen 
pastor, and served to Dec., 1914; then C. T. Burgess 
became pastor and served to Dec., 1916. W. C. Hender¬ 
son appears to have been pastor from 1917 to 1920, but 
of this we are not sure. George Steed was pastor in 
1921. D. A. Baker was called in 1922, and is pastor 
at the present time. 


151 


The church attached herself to the Sarepta Associa¬ 
tion in 1869, and in 1887 withdrew from the Sarepta, 
and united with the Tugalo Association. She has never 
at anytime been a very flourishing church, but she has 
always been blessed with a few faithful men who have 
labored earnestly and faithfully to hold the little band 
together, and be it said to their everlasting credit, they 
have had some small degree of success. I name a few 
of her noble, self-sacrificing members who have gone 
to their reward: Madison House, Jesse Pritchett, Sr., 
R. J. Dyar, Thomas Chandler, N. H. Ayers and others 
whose names are written in the Book of Life. 

Deacons 

The following named brethren have served the church 
in the capacity of deacons: R. J. Dyar, Hope Emmett, 
V. D. Lockhart, N. H. Ayers. We know not who are 
the acting deacons at this time, neither do we know 
who has served as deacons besides those mentioned. 

Clerks 

R. J. Dyar was clerk from 1876 (with the exception 
of one year when W. P. Hill was clerk) until his death 
in 1922. 

E. S. Y. Bryant’s pastorate proved very detrimental 
to the church. Though a man of supreme ability and 
seemingly well disposed, he seemed to have weaknesses 
which resulted in his shameful downfall. Brother Gow- 
der also opposed every effort which was for the advance¬ 
ment of the church. He seemed to think pride was 
ruining the church, and delighted to abuse others for 
their pride, “with greater pride.” 

The foregoing is written almost exclusively from mem¬ 
ory and doubtless contains some errors, especially in 
regard to dates, but in the main they are correct. Not 
having access to the records, I have tried to refresh 
my memory, and am satisfied that whatever inaccuracies 
may be found are not material. What the present out- 
152 


look for the church is we cannot tell. She is on the 
extreme west of the Association, and is not often repre¬ 
sented in the sessions of the body. 

According to the Associational minutes of 1921, her 
present membership is 81. In 1922 the church sustained 
an irreparable loss by the sudden death of Deacon R. J. 
Dyar. He had gone to the church on Sunday morning, 
it being their regular meeting day. After Sunday School 
closed he walked out in the yard, and was seen to 
stagger. Some brethren ran to him, but he passed away 
in a few moments. Faithful in life, he died at his chosen 
post of duty. 


FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, TOCCOA 

This church was organized in 1872. When the town 
of Toccoa began to build, the Baptists began with the 
town. The First Church was organized in Payne Hall. 
The building stood on the corner of the street on the 
plat of ground where the Farmers’ & Merchants’ Bank 
now stands. The names of the charter members are 
not given, but the record says the number was thirty- 
four. Soon after its organization it was accepted into 
the Association, where it has held membership ever 
since. It has occupied three buildings. The first was 
just across the railroad about two hundred yards from 
what is now the business section of the town. At a 
later date, about 1884, when Dr. F. C. McConnell was 
pastor, a church building was erected on the other side 
of the railroad, on the leading street running through 
the business part of the town, about one-fourth of a mile 
due west of the public square. This building was occu¬ 
pied by the church until the year 1905, when under 
the leadership of Dr. M. M. Riley the present building 
was erected. The church has been supplied by the 
following named brethren as pastors: Dr. W. C. Wilkes, 
who organized the church, was the first pastor; Dr. P. S. 
Whitman was the next pastor, followed by Dr. A. Van- 
153 


hoose, who was succeeded in the pastorate by B. S. V. 
Bryant. These brethren followed each other in rapid 
succession. In 1883 Dr. F. C. McConnell became pastor, 
and remained with the church as such until December, 
1884, when J. F. Goode was chosen and served until 
December, 1885. J. L. D. Hillyer was then called, and 
served until Dec., 1886, when Dr. S. Y. Jameson was 
called and served until Dec., 1888. J. F. Goode was 
again called, and served until Dec., 1889. M. L. Cars¬ 
well was next called, and served until Dec., 1891. The 
church records show that from that time up to the 
present, pastors have served the church in the following 
order and duration: Dr. A. E. Keese, Feb. 21, 1892, 
to Jan. 15, 1896; Rev. D. W. Hiatt, Jan. 15, 1896, to 
Dec. 19, 1897; Dr. R. D. Hawkins, Dec. 19, 1897, to 
Jan. 20, 1901; Dr. T. P. Bell, Jan. 20, 1901, to July 21, 
1901; Dr. M. M. Riley, July 21, 1901, to Jan. 1, 1908; 
Rev. Cliff A. Owens, Feb. 1, 1908, to Oct. 3, 1909; Rev. 
T. M. Galphin, Nov. 1, 1909, to April 10, 1910; Dr. 
M. M. Riley (supply), May 1, 1910, to Oct. 1, 1910; 
Rev. J. Fred Eden x Jr., Nov. 13, 1910, to April 3, 1912; 
Rev. L. A. Cooper, Dec. 1, 1912, to Aug. 1, 1913; Rev. 
J. Fred Eden, Jr., Sept. 1, 1913, to Nov. 1, 1915; Rev. 

A. F. O ’Kelley, Feb. 15, 1916, to Dec. 31, 1918; Rev. 
J. S. Hartsfield, March 1, 1919, to June 1, 1924. 

The following brethren have served the Sunday School 
as Superintendent: W. J. Hayes, S. J. Busha, T. J. 
Jackson, C. B. Micham, E. E. Mitchell, C. E. Mason, 
C. L. Mize, A. Walters, J. L. Pendley, and the present 
incumbent, D. S. Wommack, who has been Superintend¬ 
ent for fourteen years. 

The present plant, including the Pastorium, is valued 
at $30,000.00. The church pledged $28,000 to the 
$75,000,000 campaign. She has a Senior and Junior 

B. Y. P. U., a fine Y. W. A., Sunbeams and Woman’s 
Missionary Society. The present membership num¬ 
bers 457. 


154 


Deacons 


W. J. Hayes and E. L. Goode were ordained deacons 
by this church in 1884, and were the first deacons so 
far as known. Besides these, the following named 
brethren have served as deacons: J. J. Bright, E. E. 
Mitchell, D. S. Wommack, John H. Davis, Claude Bond, 
J. P. Vickery, D. H. Alexander, B. F. Davis, C. M. 
Gaston, J. R. Herndon, Hoke Smith, John Thomason 
and C. H. Porter. 

Clerks 

E. L. Goode, Will J. Harris, J. J. Bright and P. S. 
Whitman have served as clerks. Doubtless there have 
been other clerks, but their names are unknown to the 
writer. D. S. Wommack is the present clerk, and has 
acted in that capacity for several years. 

Since the foregoing history of the church was written, 
Lee N. Hartsfield was ordained to the full functions 
of the ministry by this church, on November 7th, 1923. 


HUDSON RIVER 

This church is located on the extreme Franklin County 
line, eleven miles due South of Carnesville. The church 
was constituted in 1884. We are not informed as to 
who composed the constituting presbytery, and not hav¬ 
ing access to the records, we cannot state the names 
nor number of the charter members who entered into 
the constitution. The church was the outgrowth of 
a Sabbath School which was organized in the hall of 
Dr. John K. SewelPs dwelling. He, together with W. J. 
Burgess, gathered together the children in the neighbor¬ 
hood, and as many of the parents as could be induced 
to attend, and for a time the Sabbath School was con¬ 
ducted by these two consecrated Christian men as an 
independent Sunday School. The interest continued 
to grow, and as the interest grew the attendance in¬ 
creased. The need of a church in the community began 
to be felt and talked. In a brief time the church lot 
155 


whereon the meeting house now stands was donated 
by Dr. John K. Sewell. The people went into the woods, 
cut down the pines and hauled the stock to the sawmill, 
laid down the lumber on the lot and built a meeting 
house. A number of brethren and sisters brought their 
letters from Providence, Black’s Creek and Beaverdam 
Churches, and were formally constituted a missionary 
Baptist Church. On the same day the church was 
named “Hudson River,” after the name of the river 
which flows hard by. 

Their first pastor was Woodson Jackson, who, after 
a few brief months of service, was called to his reward, 
which left the little newly organized body without a 
shepherd. The church was without a pastor for the 
remainder of the year 1884. W. B. J. Hardman, W. R. 
Goss and J. F. Goode preached for the little band 
occasionally until Dec., 1884, when J. F. Goode was 
called and assumed pastoral charge of the church, which 
relation continued until Dec., 1887, when T. G. Under¬ 
wood was called and served the church until the time 
of his death, Nov. 30th, 1898. The church sustained 
a great loss in the death of Brother Underwood. He 
had continued with her in adversity as well as pros¬ 
perity. Under his wise and prudent counsel and effi¬ 
cient pulpit ministrations she had grown from a little 
struggling church into a strong and efficient body, and 
it was but natural after eleven consecutive years that 
she should regard him not only as her pastor, but as a 
father. After the death of Brother Underwood the 
church was for some time without a pastor. 

Some time in the early part of the year 1899 the 
church met and extended a call to C. T. Burgess, who 
had been bom and reared in the immediate community. 
The call was accepted, and he entered upon the duties 
and responsibilities of the work which Brother Under¬ 
wood had so well begun and carried on so faithfully 
and efficiently to the close of his useful life. Brother 
Burgess continued with the church for five years, when 
in Dec., 1904, C. A. Strickland was called and served 
the church for about two years. 

156 


Since 1906 a number of pastors have followed each 
other in rapid succession. L. K. Parham was pastor 
1908-1909; R. L. Davis 1910-1911; C. T. Burgess was 
again called and served until Dec., 1913, when W. M. 
Seay was called and served until Dec., 1918; then J. F. 
Goode was again called, and served to Dec., 1920, when 
E. N. Sanders, of Greenville, S. C., was called and 
served until March, 1923. What the church is now 
doing, whether she has a pastor or is looking out for 
one, we know not. 

Deacons 

W. J. Burgess and John K. Sewell and Wellborn 
Welden went into the constitution of the church as 
deacons. Bowlie Lord was later received into the church 
as a deacon from Beaverdam. Isaac Ginn, Robert Mc- 
Elroy and Alvin Collins are acting, and perhaps others 
have served in this capacity, whose names we have 
forgotten, for we write from memory. 

Clerks 

J. D. Favor and Lawton Burgess are the only former 
clerks we can call to mind. Sebert McElroy is the 
acting clerk at this time. 

General Remarks 

This church, like all other churches, has had many 
trials, some of which have given her trouble. She is 
only moderately liberal in contributions to the benevolent 
enterprises fostered by the Association, and in support¬ 
ing her pastor. She is a wealthy church, and is capable 
of accomplishing great things for the Master’s cause, 
but she is wanting in aggressive leadership. 


ROCK CREEK 

This church is situated about six miles East of Toccoa, 
in Stephens County, Ga. There is no record in the 
minutes of the Association at what session she united 
157 


with the body. The first account we have of the church 
was at the session of 1886 at Poplar Springs, when her 
name appears in the roll of churches, with W. W. Stowe 
as pastor, and W. E. Bowers and J. W. Fricks as dele¬ 
gates. Writing from memory, the church must have 
been constituted some time in the year 1885. W. W. 
Stowe was their first pastor. His name continues to ap¬ 
pear in the Associational minutes as pastor until 1895. In 
1896 H. F. Stovall became pastor, and continued his 
connection with the church as such until 1902, when 
Aaron Terrell became pastor and served until Dec., 
1904, when H. F. Stovall was again called and served 
as pastor until Dec., 1909, when W. T. Land was chosen 
and continued as pastor until Dec., 1922, when S. E. 
Macomson was chosen pastor and is serving as such 
at the present time. 

Having no data from which to write, we are unable 
to give the names of those who have served the church 
as deacons, or who are the present acting deacons. 

Clerks 

Boy J. Stowe, J. M. Mills and George Chastain, the 
present clerk, are the only names which appear in the 
minutes of the Association, as far back as the minutes 
have been examined. 


Bemarks 

It is worthy of notice that the church had only four 
pastors the first thirty-seven years of her existence: 
Stowe, Stovall, Terrell and Land, Macomson now serv¬ 
ing his first year as pastor. It further appears that 
in the past she has been a united church, never at 
any time paying her pastor a liberal salary, or con^ 
tributing very liberally to the benevolent enterprises 
fostered by the denomination, and while not contributing 
very much, she has not antagonized our religious work 
until recently. She has doubtless wielded a great in¬ 
fluence for good in the community in which she is lo- 
158 


cated. We now come to the most painful event con¬ 
nected with the church in all her entire history, and 
the most disastrous to the church. Brother Land had 
been pastor for twelve years. Under his leadership 
the church had grown to be a strong body, numerically. 
He had baptized many of the present membership into 
the fellowship of the church, and the prospect for this 
happy relation between the pastor and the church to 
continue was exceedingly encouraging, when to the 
utter surprise of the thinking members, he began to 
antagonize our religious institutions, our schools, the 
State Baptist Convention, the Southern Baptist Con¬ 
vention and our Sunday School literature. This gave 
rise to a division in the church, a large number standing 
by their pastor, a majority demanding his resignation. 
This unhappy condition prevailed during the year 1922, 
until their day to call a pastor, when S. E. Macomson 
was called by a majority of the church, a large minority 
voting for Brother Land. Brother Macomson at first 
refused to accept the call, but after consultation with 
a number of his preaching brethren, he agreed to accept 
the call, hoping to be able to hold the church together. 
Accordingly he entered upon his duties as pastor in 
January, 1923. Since then, until recently, the followers 
of Brother Land have so interfered with the church 
that they have scarcely held a conference without more 
or less trouble. Some time in the early summer, perhaps 
at the May or June conference, the church withdrew 
fellowship from those known as the “Land followers/’ 
hoping that they would then be let alone and allowed 
to meet and worship in peace, but not so. This only 
enraged the minority, and from time to time the dis¬ 
turbance grew worse, which finally culminated in the 
meeting house being destroyed as is believed by the 
fire of an incendiary. Whether the house was fired by 
accident or was the work of an incendiary is not known, 
and is by no means likely ever to be known. A large 
majority of the membership of the church have recently 
taken their letters and have gone to other churches, 
while a few are still holding on. 

159 


The few who are still holding on are entitled to sym¬ 
pathy. Some of them are now old men and women, 
others have never belonged to any other church. Here 
they have always met for worship, here they attended 
Sabbath School in childhood, here many of their loved 
ones repose in the cemetery hard by, where the meeting 
house formerly stood. One of the oldest, perhaps the 
oldest, member, stated to the writer of this sketch that 
he first united with the church at Rock Creek, had never 
been a member of any other church, that his children 
were buried there, that his wife’s father and mother 
were buried there, that he expected to be buried there, 
and that he still had hopes that a change would take 
place; that they might yet be able to build a meeting 
house and hold the church together. 

This sketch is not written to justify or condemn any 
one, but for the sole purpose of recording a historical 
fact. No one can foresee what will come out of the 
present day and future chaos. Churches, like individ¬ 
uals, have their seasons of prosperity and adversity. 
The little band left at Rock Creek out of doors, we trust 
contains the true salt. If so, ‘ ‘ Sorrow may continue for 
a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” 


HANNAHS CREEK 

This church is situated somewhere near the line be¬ 
tween Franklin and Madison Counties, Southwest of 
Royston, Ga. Not being acquainted with that territory 
and the particular community in which she is located, 
no description of the county or who are the members 
composing the church can here be given. According 
to the Associational minutes of 1889 she was received 
into the body as “a new constitution.” Her first dele¬ 
gates were John Cape and J. W. Brown. She was 
regularly represented in the Association until 1900. 
Since that date she has sometimes been represented, 
and at other times she has had no representation until 
160 


1920. Since then she has not been represented in the 
body. When represented at the sessions from year to 
year her delegates have been the following named 
brethren, 1890 and years following: Thomas Bray, J. P. 
Hill, A. P. Burnett, J. W. Bryant, E. W. Fowler, W. E. 
Bond, I. W. Bray, J. J. Kelly and Elisha Fowler. A 
period after the names of the delegates marks her repre¬ 
sentation for the years following 1890 until 1920. Since 
then, as stated above, she has had no representation. 

Pastors 

J. Wiley Bond was the first pastor and continued 
as such until 1893. In 1894 J. R. King became pastor 
and continued to serve until 1902, and perhaps was 
pastor for several years following. In 1912 W. M. 
Pettette was pastor and continued as such for some 
years. The name of W. J. Spearman appears as pastor 
in 1918. The years to 1922 are blank. 

Clerks 

The following names appear as clerk: I. W. Bray, 
1889 to 1900, and he may have served in that capacity 
for a longer term. J. S. Chastain was clerk in 1919, 
which was the last session in which the church had 
any representative. 

Deacons 

Who were the first deacons who have served the 
church in that capacity, or who are her acting deacons, 
we have absolutely no knowledge. 

Remarks 

This church has always been numerically weak. Her 
membership was 30 the last time she sent any delegates 
to the Association. As to the wealth of her members, 
nothing can be said, for nothing is known, but it is 
hardly reasonable that a church in a rural community 
composed of only thirty members, could do very much 
in the way of supporting a pastor, and less in the way 
161 


of supporting the benevolent enterprises fostered by 
the denomination. In the early history of the Associa¬ 
tion the churches contributed funds to compensate min¬ 
isters to travel and preach in the destitute territory of 
the Association. Is not their example worthy of emula¬ 
tion in this day, when we are so much. inclined to 
magnify our Christian liberality? Here is a church 
within our bounds and a member of our body, which 
never has had but one pastor who was a member of 
our Association, and he for only three years, which is 
practically lost to the body, and all for the reason that 
we have just not thought of our own responsibility 
and the obligations we are under to develop this terri¬ 
tory. It does look like some of the money our people 
are contributing, could be well spent in developing this 
field. The fact that the people there have made the 
effort to keep up a church and have the Gospel preached, 
is evidence that they feel the need of its saving influ¬ 
ence. The souls of these people are just as precious 
in the sight of God as are those who have good houses 
of worship, and whose children are being trained in 
Sabbath School, and sit under the ministry of well 
informed preachers. Some real helpful mission work 
might be done in this territory without crossing the 
“briny deep.” Much more might be said as to the 
importance of the Association sending a strong man 
into this field, but the purpose of the writer is to write 
a brief history of the church. 

In so far as the foregoing is a history of the church, 
it has been culled exclusively from the minutes of the 
Association, together with such information as was ob¬ 
tainable from other sources, for we have not had access 
to the church records. 


RICE CREEK 

This church is situated on the west side of the Elberton 
Railroad, two miles below Canon, and two miles above 
Royston. She was received into the Association as a 
162 


member of the body at the session of 1893. J. J. Childs 
and A. Christian were her first delegates. Since then 
her delegates for the succeeding years have been as 
follows, as far as known (there have been several ses¬ 
sions when she had no representation) : D. E. Owen, 
L. M. Fowler, H. F. Jordan, J. J. Seymour, J. J. Childs 
and J. M. Farmer. A number of the above named 
brethren were delegates through succeeding years. The 
following named brethren have served as clerk: John 
Fowler, J. J. Childs, L. M. Fowler, Maret Duncan and 
Lee Bowers was acting clerk when the church was last 
represented in the Association in 1921. Since her con¬ 
nection with the Association she has had no representa¬ 
tion in the body for the following sessions : 1897, 1898, 
1899, 1904, 1907, 1912, 1913, 1916, 1920, 1922, 1923, 
which shows that she has been without representation 
in the body for more than one-third of the time since 
she became a member. Since her connection with the 
body she has had six pastors who have followed each 
other in rapid succession, as follows: J. B. Sailors, who 
was pastor in 1894-1895-1896, and again in 1905, and 
once more in 1914. In 1901 G. H. Morrison was pastor. 
W. L. Dudley served the church as pastor in 1902-1903. 
In 1906 F. M. Codie was pastor, a man of whom little 
is known. From 1908 to Dec., 1911, H. D. Minyard 
was pastor. In 1921 the name of T. A. Burgess appears 
as pastor. 

¥e know nothing whatever as to who has served the 
church as deacons or who is now serving in that capacity. 
Doubtless some of the brethren whose names appear in 
the minutes have served in that capacity, and perhaps 
others whose names are unknown to the writer of this 
sketch. 

When this church was constituted or who was the 
constituting presbytery, we have not the least idea. 
The only information we have been able to obtain has 
been from parties somewhat acquainted with the place, 
who say there has been a church there at least forty 
years, and they know not how much longer. The Asso- 
ciational minutes do not state that the church was a 
163 


newly constituted church; neither is it stated that she 
came with a letter from any other Association. If she 
had an existence earlier than 1893, she must have been 
an independent body belonging to no Association. 

Robert A. Stovall was their Sunday School superin¬ 
tendent in 1916. It is further noticeable that for that 
year they report some contributions for benevolence, 
which had not been done prior to that time, and the 
church had advanced from $25.00 for pastor’s salary 
to $75.00. The last statement in the minutes gives the 
membership at that date as being 54. 


ZIDEN 

This church is situated in Franklin County, Ga., 
seven miles South of Carnesville, and was constituted 
in 1855 or 1856. At the session of the Association in 
1856 the records say that “Ziden, a new constitution, 
was received into the body.” Her first delegates were 
S. R. Crow and M. Adkerson. John H. Aderhold was 
the first pastor, and continued with the church in this 
relation until Dec., 1862. J. M. Power then became 
pastor and served until Dec., 1869. Jesse Brown was 
next called and served until Dec., 1870, when J. M. Power 
was again called and served until Dec., 1874. W. J. 
Vickery was then called and served until Dec., 1875, 
when Thomas Crymes was called and served until Dec., 
1877. W. J. Vickery was again called and served until 
Dec., 1878. J. F. Goode was then called and served 
until Dec., 1882, when W. J. Purcell was called and 
served until Dec., 1888; A. J. Cobb was next called 
and served until December, 1890, when J. J. Beck was 
called and served until Dec., 1893. M. E. Porter was 
next called and served until Dec., 1895; D. B. Waite 
was then called and served till Dec., 1898; W. W. Stowe 
was next called, and served to Dec., 1903; E. L. Sisk 
was next called and served to Dec., 1905; S. E. Macom- 
son was next called and served until Dec., 1916; then 
164 


J. F. Goode was again called, and served until December, 
1917, when S. E. Macomson was again called and served 
until Dec., 1920; L. A. Burrell was then called and 
served until Dec., 1922. S. E. Macomson was next 
called and is now serving as pastor. 

T. J. Crow, E. H. Crow, T. C. Phillips and quite a 
number of others whose names are not now recalled, 
have served as deacons. Gibbs Phillips is the only clerk 
whose name we can now remember. M. M. Crow was 
ordained to the Gospel ministry by this church on the 
first day of January, 1885, J. F. Goode and W. J. Pur¬ 
cell, ministers, and T. C. Phillips, L. N. Tribble and 
E. H. Crow, deacons, acting as presbytery. 

Remarks 

This church has been blessed with a number of faith¬ 
ful brethren who have given of their means for the 
support of the church and general benevolence. She 
has always held the reins of discipline with a firm and 
steady grasp, and in the past has wielded a great influ¬ 
ence for good. She has never been a very strong church 
financially or numerically, and has been greatly shorn 
of her strength by the organization of the church at 
Grove Hill, and later at Riverside. The great majority 
of the members of these churches were formerly mem¬ 
bers of this church. Her membership is now 115. 


TOCCOA SECOND 


There is no record obtainable as to when this church 
was constituted, or who went into the organization. 
Further investigation shows the minutes of the Asso¬ 
ciation are silent as to when she became a member of 
the body. The first evidence we find of her existence 
is at the session of 1903, when the names of G. W. 
Carroll, Jr., appears as pastor, and Thomas Davenport 
as clerk, with the following named brethren as her dele- 
165 


gates: H. T. Compton, George Lovell, M. E. Parramore 
and M. G. Smith. The name of G. W. Carroll, Jr., con¬ 
tinues to appear in the minutes as pastor until the 
Association convened at Eastanollee in 1906, when the 
name of J. Carswell appears as pastor (a man of whom 
little is known), and the name of J. J. Lyles as clerk. 

Since 1906 the church has been supplied by the fol¬ 
lowing ministers serving as pastor: W. J. Purcell, from 
January, 1907, to Dec., 1908; W. W. Stowe was then 
chosen as pastor and continued as such until Dec., 1911, 
when L. B. Norton was chosen and served until Dec., 
1912. R. L. Davis was next chosen and served until 
the close of the year 1916. D. N. Jordan was chosen 
and served until the close of the year 1918. No men¬ 
tion is made of the church having had any pastor for 
1919. C. 0. English was pastor from January, 1920, 
to March, 1922. Since that time E. H. Kelly has been 
pastor to the present date. 

Thomas Davenport, J. J. Lyles, W. A. Davis, L. F. 
Coker and the present clerk, R. A. Smith, have served 
as clerks. As to who served the church in the capacity 
of deacon is passed over for the want of a record. 

Remarks 

Since the church is first mentioned in the Associa- 
tional minutes of 1903, she has had ten pastors. In 
1906 there arose a disturbance in the church as to the 
reception of members into the fellowship of the church 
who had been baptized by administrators other than 
Baptists, a number having been received into the church 
claiming that they were satisfied with their baptism, 
but wanted membership in the Baptist church. A num¬ 
ber of the brethren objected, but a majority contended 
that their baptism was valid. When the Association 
convened, both parties were promptly on hand. After 
a brief investigation the Association appointed a com¬ 
mittee, with C. T. Burgess as chairman, to visit the 
church and make an investigation and report to the 
next Association. Through the wise counsel of the 
166 


committee the difference was amicably adjusted, and 
peace and harmony restored. 

This church is largely composed of the operatives 
at the factory, and receives liberal help from the State 
Mission Board, the members not being financially able 
to support a pastor. Her present membership is 199. 


RIVERSIDE 

The name of this church first appears in the minutes 
of the Association of 1914. The minutes are silent as 
to when she became a member of the body. W. L. 
James was pastor at that time, and continued his con¬ 
nection with the church as such until Dec., 1917. S. E. 
Macomson was then chosen and has continued as such 
until the present. 

B. Singleton and E. N. Atkinson have served the 
church as clerk. 

The exact date of the organization of this church is 
not now remembered. It was not earlier than 1913. 
The church has grown under the ministry of Brethren 
James and Macomson respectively, either by experi¬ 
ence and baptism, or by accessions by letter from Ziden, 
the mother church close by. The minutes of 1913, the 
year that Riverside was constituted, Ziden reported 201 
members. She reported in 1922 only 115 members, a 
loss in ten years of 86 members. In 1914 the minutes 
state the membership of Riverside the previous year 
as 14. Received by baptism 14, and by letter 14, making 
a total of 42 members in 1914. In 1922 she reports a 
membership of 120, a gain in ten years of 78 members. 
Add the present membership of Ziden and Riverside 
together and there will be a total of 235 members com¬ 
posing the two churches, and a gain of 34 members, more 
than were members at Ziden when Riverside was consti¬ 
tuted. This brief sketch, it is hoped, will be both en¬ 
couraging and helpful to the membership of this flourish¬ 
ing young church. 


167 


GROVE HILL 


This church was constituted some time between the 
sessions of the Association of 1911 and 1912. She was 
received into the body as a member in 1912. The name 
of J. L. Underwood appears as clerk; also as a delegate. 
W. L. James was the first pastor and continued as such 
until Dec., 1919. G. R. Fuller served as pastor for 1922. 
Since then she has no representation in the Association. 
The number of members in 1912, when she united with 
the Association, is stated in the minutes as 25. In 1920, 
the last time she was represented, was 34. She has 
had only two clerks, J. L. Underwood and W. F. Power. 
Nothing is known as to who was the acting Presbytery 
when the church was constituted, or who were the char¬ 
ter members who went into the constitution. Neither 
is anything known as to who has served the church in 
the capacity of deacons. 

Remarks 

This church is situated eight miles below Carnesville, 
on the Athens Road near Cromer’s Mill. Taking the 
surroundings just as at present, it is a debatable ques¬ 
tion as to whether she will ever be a self-supporting 
church. During the ten years of her existence she 
has only had an increase of nine members, and it is 
not certainly known that she now tries to hold any regu¬ 
lar service. Her prospects were not encouraging at 
the time she was constituted, and have not improved. 
In fact it was the opinion of many of the brethren 
of the churches nearby that it was a great mistake when 
the church was organized, and time has justified the 
opinion. It is much easier to constitute a church than 
to build a meeting house, and keep house for God. There 
are doubtless a few consecrated brethren who do all 
they can to keep up and meet the expense which is 
necessarily incurred, but they are not financially able 
to bear the burden, and of course the cause languishes. 
They have neither the territory or the material of Bap- 
168 


tist persuasion out of which to build up an efficient 
church. 


LAVONIA BAPTIST CHURCH * 

The Lavonia Baptist Church was constituted in 1886 
with about 20 members, under a large tree. Rev. L. W. 
Stephens supplied the pulpit for a short while in the 
old school house. The first pastor was Rev. D. D. 
Holland, of Maysville, and under his pastorate the First 
Baptist Church building was erected in Lavonia. A 
subscription list was early circulated, but was almost 
abandoned. Among the early members were T. A. 
Stovall and his family, A. D. S. Chandler and wife, R. F. 
Cleveland and wife, Albin J. Maret, Mrs. E. E. Harrison 
and others. It was a weak membership, but they were 
in earnest. Other churches were so close around that 
few entered into the new church. A house was to build. 
R. F. Cleveland gave a lot which was exchanged for 
one more centrally located. 

Thomas R. Bonner joined the church in 1888 and 
aided in locating the church. Most village churches of 
the Baptist persuasion are located in a hollow, while 
other denominations set theirs on a hill top. Ours 
had a delightful location. Some members subscribed 
money. Others lumber, and other necessary articles as 
needed. Mrs. Essie E. Harrison worked more faithfully 
than anyone else in getting money by subscription, and 
was devoted to the church all her life. The house was 
erected about 1889 and was a credit to the town. Then 
it began to grow. Besides our once-a-month meeting, 
revivals were held, conducted by the pastors with such 
able help as Reverends J. F. Goode, T. W. 0. Kelly, 
L. E. Barton, 0. J. Copeland, W. M. Anderson and 
others. Members joined by letter regularly and by 
experience in good numbers every summer. We did not 
expect much of the Lord in the winter. 

* The author acknowledges his indebtedness to Dx\ Thomas B. Bonner for 
the foregoing historical sketch of Lavonia Baptist Church. 

169 


The next pastor was Rev. James H. McMullen, of 
Hartwell. He was a fine pastor and an excellent finan¬ 
cier, and the church flourished during his pastorate. 
Many were added to the church, and all debts were paid 
as if by magic. He left the church much regretted and 
loved by all. He was followed by Rev. L. T. Weldon, 
another Hart County man, and a fine preacher. Rev. 
P. F. Crawford was the next pastor, and held the pas¬ 
torate a second term later on. He graduated at Mercer 
after spending two years at Howard College, Alabama, 
and came to Carnesville from South Georgia, as Princi¬ 
pal of the school and pastor of churches near Carnes¬ 
ville. He was a very fine preacher and did a great work 
as pastor. Dr. Alexander E. Keese was then selected 
as pastor. He was first honor man from Mercer, which 
school made him a D.D. He was a matchless preacher, 
a most lovable man, and was a popular pastor. Rev. 
Bryan W. Collier was then called and served as pastor 
for some time. The church then called to the work J. C. 
Boone, a layman of Gainesville, Judge of the City Court 
and Superintendent of the Sunday School of the First 
Baptist Church. He was a most lovable man, and served 
faithfully till stricken with paralysis, from which he re¬ 
covered. Rev. C. T. Brown was next chosen pastor and 
served several years. His term was very successful and 
he was greatly loved. After he left, the church 
“ sampled ” preachers for some time from a great many 
places, making it hard to decide on one, but at last 
the choice fell on Rev. R. W. Eubanks. 

Brother Eubanks was a wide-awake man and fully 
abreast of the times. He worked his church well, organ¬ 
ized every department of it and did a large and useful 
part of the Associational work. Under his ministry the 
church began to wake up and expand. A new church 
house was advocated, as the old one was inadequate. It 
was a wooden one 36 by 60 feet, with one room, and a 
large Sunday School was greatly handicapped. The 
church was too near the business part of town. A lot 
at the corner of Jones and Bowman streets was pro¬ 
cured. The old church was sold and a brick veneered 
170 


building was erected on the new lot. It was 60 feet 
square and three stories high. The first story is a base¬ 
ment with rock walls; the next story is the auditorium 
with six Sunday School rooms and pastor’s study, and 
the third is the gallery containing five Sunday School 
rooms. The house is seated completely with excellent 
seats and ceiled with steel ceiling. Much credit is due 
all the members for their heroic help, but especial credit 
is due W. C. Tribble for his liberality and help in every 
way. A fine pastorium is built on the church lot of the 
same material. The property is all worth at this time 
$40,000.00. The Rev. R. W. Eubanks was one of the 
prime movers in this enterprise, and when completed it 
was paid for, which is unusually good business for a 
church. The church has been prompt in paying their 
pastors, and liberal toward all causes fostered by the 
Convention. 

After Brother Eubanks left, it was nearly a year 
before a pastor was called, and the pulpit was filled by 
different preachers. Rev. S. J. Baker, an English 
preacher, was called. He was a deep scriptorian and a 
fine preacher. On his departure the pulpit was again 
filled by different ministers for a year. The church then 
unanimously called Rev. George C. Steed, from Wash¬ 
ington, Ga. He came from the fine Georgia stock of 
Steeds, who had rich Baptist blood in their veins. He 
runs the church with business ability, is a social man, 
greatly loved by every member, and a power in the 
pulpit. Indeed the church is most happily situated. 
Great things should be done for the Lord for whom 
we are doing business. 


INDIAN CREEK CHURCH * 

On November the 23rd, 1850, Indian Creek Church 
was constituted with the following members: Elias 
Soesby, J. M. Hawkins, Tignal Jones, J. H. Payne, 

* The author of this history is indebted to Miss Alice Hamilton, Clerk of 
Indian Creek Church, for the following historical sketch. 

171 


H. Bush, Sarah Soesby, M. A. Hawkins, Rhoda Jones 
and Sarah Bellamy. The constituting Presbytery con¬ 
sisted of Rev. William Kelly and Rev. John G. York, 
ministers of the Gospel, and Deacons H. Mangrum, Mil- 
ton W. Gillespie, A. Adderhold, J. L. Shackelford, W. I. 
Phillips and J. Murray. Rev. William Kelly was Mod¬ 
erator, and Rev. John G. York, clerk. 

After the Moderator had declared the church duly 
constituted, and the Presbytery adjourned, the church 
immediately went into conference and called Rev. Elias 
Soesby as pastor, and elected J. M. Hawkins, clerk, 
and agreed that the monthly meeting days be the third 
Sabbath and Saturday before in each month. 

The members erected a suitable house of worship on 
a lot of land donated by Mr. William Mitchell, for a 
church lot and burial ground. Some of the Mitchell 
relatives’ remains lie buried in the cemetery. 

October conference, 1851, received by letter Milton 
W. Gillespie, as an ordained deacon, and was received 
as such, thus serving as the first deacon of this church. 
Protracted services in October continued nine days, 
and 22 members were received by letter and five by 
experience. 

March conference, 1852, Jefferson H. Browne and 
Josiah H. Payne were ordained deacons. Although but 
few members of this church, the records show where 
the church assisted in the support of its poor and needy 
members. July conference, 1852, J. M. Hawkins, after 
serving as clerk since the church was organized, re¬ 
signed, and Dr. A. W. Brawner was elected clerk in¬ 
definitely. Same day the church members unanimously 
agreed to meet at the church Friday before August 
conference, and spend the day in fasting, humiliation 
and prayer, and invited sister churches to meet with 
them. September, 1852, this church applied for mem¬ 
bership, and was received into the Tugalo Association. 
The delegates were: Rev. Elias Soesby, J. H. Payne; 
Alternate, J. R. Payne. 

October, 1852, the annual protracted services con¬ 
tinued eight days, and two members were received 
172 


by letters, and 30 by experience and baptism. Friday 
before the fifth Sabbath in April, 1855, Brother David 
H. Payne was ordained to the full work of the min¬ 
istry of the Gospel by the following Presbytery: Rev. 
John G. York, the Moderator, conducted the examination, 
Rev. Henry Wood offered the ordination prayer. Rev. 
S. B. Sanders gave the charge. 

September conference, 1855, J. R. Earle was ordained 
a deacon. November, 1855; Rev. Elias Soesby, after 
supplying the church since it was organized, resigned, 
and Rev. Henry Wood was chosen pastor and served as 
such until Nov., 1857, when Rev. Elias Soesby was again 
chosen pastor and served until Oct., 1858, when Rev. 
W. F. Bowers was elected pastor. Call was accepted. 
Friday, July 8, 1859, Brother John Moore was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry of the Gospel. 

The year 1861 was of great seriousness and sorrow, 
because of the beginning of the Civil War, yet during 
those dark days the records show the members of this 
church then were faithful followers of the cross, observ¬ 
ing days spent in fasting, humiliation and prayer. March 
conference, 1861, Dr. A. W. Brawner, after serving as 
church clerk more than nine years, resigned, and J. R. 
Earle was appointed clerk. Sept. 13th, 1861, the Tugalo 
Association met with this church. Introductory sermon 
was delivered by W. F. Bowers. H. M. Barton, Mod¬ 
erator, W. F. Bowers, Clerk. December, 1861, J. R. 
Earle served as clerk eight months and resigned. Rev. 
W. F. Bowers supplied the church three years, 1859- 
1860-1861. January conference, 1862, John H. Payne 
was elected clerk, and at the April conference same year 
David Waycastor was ordained a deacon; also Rev. David 
H. Payne was chosen pastor and he served as such until 
Feb., 1863. Here, it seems from the records, that the 
church had no regular supply for several months, but 
visiting ministers conducted the regular monthly services. 

February conference, 1864, Rev. J. G. Bryant was 
called as pastor and the call was accepted. May con¬ 
ference, 1864, James L. Gillespie and John H. Payne 
were ordained deacons. March, 1866, John H. Payne 
173 


served as clerk over four years, when Milton W. Gil¬ 
lespie was appointed clerk. November conference, 1867, 
Rev. J. G. Bryant supplied the church nearly three years, 
when Rev. D. H. Payne was again called as pastor and 
served as such from January, 1868, to November,. 1870. 
Same conference Milton W. Gillespie, after serving as 
clerk over four years, resigned, and A. N. Bellamy 
was elected clerk. Rev. J. W. Sullivan was chosen pas¬ 
tor for 1871. Call was accepted. March conference, 
1871, J. M. Brown was ordained a deacon, and at the 
April conference same year, W. C. Chatham was or¬ 
dained a deacon. 

September 12th, 1872, the Tugalo Association met 
with this church. Introductory sermon by J. C. Bryant, 
H. M. Barton, Moderator, A. W. Brawner, Clerk. De¬ 
cember, 1873, A. N. Bellamy, after serving as clerk 
over three years, resigned, and R. M. Hamilton was 
elected Clerk. February 12th, 1876, W. D. Harber and 
M. H. Duncan were ordained Deacons Friday before 
the second Sabbath in August, 1878. The union meet¬ 
ing of the Second District met with this church October, 

1879. Rev. J. H. Sullivan, after supplying the church 
nine years, resigned, and Rev. W. M. Rampley was 
chosen pastor and served one year, 1880. June 15th, 

1880, Dr. W. R. Welborn was called to his reward 
above. For many years he was a faithful minister of 
the Gospel, and an earnest worker in this church. His 
remains lie buried in the cemetery. 

Rev. J. J. Wilson supplied the church one year, 1881, 
when Rev. J. F. Goode was chosen pastor and the call 
was accepted. Feb. 8th, 1884, Deacon Cyrus E. Hamil¬ 
ton passed away to the Great Beyond. In 1873 he 
moved from South Carolina, uniting with this church 
by letter as an ordained Deacon, and was received as a 
Deacon of this church, serving as such until his death. 
His remains lie buried in the cemetery. 

Rev. J. F. Goode supplied the church for four years. 
Resigned, and Rev. W. M. Goss was called as pastor 
for 1886. The call was accepted. Rev. Goss attended 
February meeting. Afterwards he was taken sick and 
174 


after a lingering illness passed away to his reward in 
Heaven. July conference, 1886, Rev. J. F. Goode was 
again chosen pastor and served the remainder of the 
year. Resigned at the April conference, 1887. Rev. 
C. T. Burgess was called as pastor and the call was 
accepted. In the year 1888 the church bought an addi¬ 
tional acre of land from R. M. Hamilton and built this, 
the present church building on it. In the summer of 
1888 Rev. Henry Wood, after a long life spent in the 
service of his Master, heard and obeyed the command, 
“Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou 
into the joy of thy Lord.” His remains lie buried 
in the cemetery. August conference, 1889, R. M. Hamil¬ 
ton, after serving as clerk for more than 15 years, re¬ 
signed, and F. P. Kirk was elected Clerk. Rev. C. T. 
Burgess supplied the church from April, 1887, to De¬ 
cember, 1890, when Rev. J. F. Goode was again chosen 
pastor and served as such the year 1891. 

Friday before the fifth Sabbath in August, 1891, the 
union meeting of the Second District met with this 
church. Rev. C. T. Burgess was again chosen pastor 
for the year 1892, and the call was accepted. January 
25th, 1892, Deacon Milton W. Gillespie passed away, 
after serving this church many years (25) as Deacon, 
Clerk and Sunday School Superintendent. That voice 
that delighted in singing the sweet songs of Zion is 
doubtless now joining in singing “All Hail the Power of 
Jesus’ Name!” His remains lie buried in the cemetery. 
November, 1892, F. P. Kirk, after serving as Clerk more 
than three years, resigned, and F. L. Jolley was elected 
Clerk. May 13, 1893, J. W. Girrard and E. A. Lecroy 
were ordained Deacons. During 1896 L. H. Bellamy 
served as Sunday School Superintendent, and T. C. Le¬ 
croy assistant Superintendent. 

The union meeting of the Second District met with 
this church Friday before the fifth Sabbath, May, 1897. 
F. M. Harmon served as Sunday School Supt. in 1898. 
November, 1898, Rev. C. T. Burgess, after supplying 
the church seven years, resigned, and Rev. T. G. Under¬ 
wood was chosen pastor for the year 1899. The call 

175 


was accepted, and Rev. Underwood attended one service. 
Afterwards he was taken sick and after a short illness 
God saw fit to call him to his reward. March confer¬ 
ence, 1899, Rev. C. T. Burgess was again chosen pastor 
and served the remainder of the year, W. D. Harber 
serving as Sunday School Supt. December, 1899, Rev. 
C. T. Burgess resigned, and Rev. B. P. Mitchell was 
chosen pastor for the year 1900. Call was accepted. 
Same conference F. L. Jolley, after serving as Clerk 
more than seven years, resigned, and R. F. Jones was 
elected Clerk. In 1891 J. W. Girrard served as Sunday 
School Supt., and was re-elected for 1902, as Sunday 
School Supt. 

Rev. B. P. Mitchell supplied the church two years. 
Resigned and Rev. L. K. Parham was chosen pastor 
for 1902. Call was accepted. August 14th, 1902, S. F. 
Bellamy, R. F. Jones and T. C. Lecroy were ordained 
deacons. October, 1902, R. F. Jones, after serving as 
Clerk three years, resigned, and C. W. Jones was elected 
Clerk and served seven months. Resigned, and R. M. 
Hamilton was again elected Clerk. In 1904 W. D. 
Harber served as Sunday School Supt., and J. W. Gir¬ 
rard, assistant Superintendent. September 12th, 1905, 
the Tugalo Association met with this church. Introduc¬ 
tory sermon by Rev. J. F. Goode, W. J. Purcell, Mod¬ 
erator, and C. L. Mize, Clerk. In 1906 T. C. Lecroy 
served as Sunday School Superintendent. March 19th, 
1907, Deacon W. D. Harber was called from his labors 
on earth to rest in Heaven. He had faithfully served 
this church as deacon more than 31 years, and at different 
times as Sunday School Superintendent. His remains 
lie buried in the old church-yard, which he loved so well. 

T. C. Lecroy served as Sunday School Supt. during 
the year 1907. September 6th, 1907, L. H. Bellamy and 
S. J. Lecroy were ordained Deacons. In 1908 T. C. 
Lecroy was re-elected Sunday School Supt., and was 
holding this place at the time of his death, which oc¬ 
curred July 30th, 1908. He was just in the prime of 
life and had faithfully served this church as Deacon 
more than seven years. 


176 


The Franklin County Singing Convention met with 
this church Friday before the second Sabbath in Sep¬ 
tember, 1908. 

December, 1908, Rev. L. K. Parham, after supplying 
the church seven years, resigned and Rev. J. F. Goode 
was chosen pastor for the year 1909. The call was ac¬ 
cepted. Also, at the same conference, R. M. Hamilton, 
after serving as Clerk more than five years, resigned, 
and at April conference, 1909, C. W. Jones was elected 
Clerk. S. J. Lecroy served as Sunday School Supt. the 
year 1909. P. L. Harrison served as Sunday School 
Supt. the year 1910. November, 1910, C. W. Jones, after 
serving as Clerk more than one year, resigned, and R. M. 
Hamilton was again elected Clerk. J. A. Singleton 
served as Sunday School Supt. the year 1911. 

The union meeting of this District met with this 
church Friday before the fifth Sabbath in April, 1911. 

June 10th, 1911, W. H. Ginn and J. A. Singleton were 
ordained deacons. W. H. Ginn served as Sunday School 
Supt. the year 1912. Dr. J. R. Sewell served as Sunday 
School Supt. the year 1913. J. H. Smith served as 
School Supt. the year 1914. S. W. Risener, in 1915 and 
1916. Dr. H. W. Birdsong, 1917. October, 1917, Rev. 
J. F. Goode, after supplying the church nine years, re¬ 
signed, and Rev. J. T. Wise was chosen pastor for the 
year 1918. Call was accepted. Same conference, R. M. 
Hamilton, after serving as Clerk seven years, resigned, 
and C. G. Gillespie was elected Clerk. 

The union meeting of this District met with this church 
Friday before the fifth Sabbath in March, 1918. 

March 7th, 1918, Deacon S. F. Bellamy was called to 
rest from his labors. He had faithfully served in this 
church as Deacon more than 15 years. His remains lie 
buried in the cemetery beside his sacred dead. 

Dr. H. W. Birdsong served as Sunday School Super¬ 
intendent the year 1918. May 11th, 1918, C. G. Gillespie, 
J. W. Harber and W. T. Harrison were ordained 
Deacons. W. H. Ginn served as Sunday School Supt. 
the year 1919. March, 1919, Rev. Austin Crinkleton 
was chosen pastor, and the call was accepted. S. W. 

177 


Risener served as Sunday School Supt. in 1920. H. F. 
Jolley served as Sunday School Supt. in 1921. Rev. 
Austin Crinkleton, after supplying the church more 
than two years, resigned in May, 1921, when Rev. E. H. 
Collins was chosen pastor. The call was accepted. H. F. 
Jolley served as Sunday School Supt. the year 1922. 
Rev. E. H. Collins supplied the church from June, 1921, 
until September, 1922. Resigned. October conference, 
1922, Rev. W. T. Halcomb was elected pastor and is the 
present supply. Same conference C. G. Gillespie, after 
serving as Clerk five years, resigned, and Alice Hamilton 
was elected Clerk, which office she now fills. Chorister, 
W. H. Ginn; Pianist, Miss Sue Ginn. The present act¬ 
ing Deacons are: S. J. Lecroy, W. H. Ginn, C. G. Gil¬ 
lespie, J. W. Harber, W. T. Harrison. L. H. Bellamy 
is the present Sunday School Superintendent. 

Since this church was organized there have been re¬ 
ceived by experience and baptism 346 members, and re¬ 
ceived by letter 395 members. 

This historical sketch of the church was written and 
read at the Homecoming, April 29th, 1923, by Alice 
Hamilton, Church Clerk. 


Biographical Sketches 

The early fathers who organized the Association in 
1818, were: Dozier Thornton, Isam Goss, Isaiah Har¬ 
ber, George Vandiver, Francis Calloway, Sr., Francis 
Calloway, Jr., L. Meeks, Robert Postwood, Thomas Gil¬ 
bert, John Cleveland and perhaps others whose names 
are unknown. 

Of these early pioneer preachers we have no other 
source of information than the records of the Asso¬ 
ciation. In pursuing these, we are especially impressed 
with their earnest determination to have the Gospel 
preached in the destitute sections of the country. In¬ 
deed they were so intent that at each session of the 
body when the subject came up for discussion, the de¬ 
mand was met to the extent of their limited resources. 

178 


We also notice that early in the history of the Asso¬ 
ciation the ministers were requested, and agreed to travel 
and preach in the destitute territory, and later a Do¬ 
mestic Mission Board was appointed to receive funds 
sent up by the churches, and ministers were employed 
to travel and preach in the destitute territory and were 
paid by the Board out of this fund. After the mis¬ 
sionaries were paid off there was always a balance left 
in the treasury. There is nothing left now. 


DOZIER THORNTON 

According to Campbell’s “History of Georgia Bap¬ 
tists, ’ ’ on page 244, we find it stated that Littleton Meeks 
and Dozier Thornton, who were then acting as mission¬ 
aries to the Cherokee Indians, lost their way among the 
mountains, and after traveling until a late hour at night, 
they were compelled to take up in the woods without 
fire or food, and wait for the dawning of the day. They 
were entertained with music by the barking of the foxes 
and the howling of the wolves. 

We also gather from the same source that Dozier 
Thornton was born in Lunenburg County, Va., April 
14th, 1755, and departed this life in Franklin County, 
Ga., in September, 1843, in the eighty-ninth year of his 
age. Brief but suitable and impressive resolutions were 
introduced and passed by the Association at the next 
session of the body after his death. He presided as 
Moderator at the time the Association was organized. 


ISAM GOSS 


Of Isam Goss, who preached the sermon preparatory 
to the organization of the Association and acted as 
Clerk on that occasion, we know absolutely nothing, 
except what is contained in the minutes of the organi- 
179 


zation, that he preached the sermon and acted as Clerk, 
as stated above. His name never appears in the minutes 
after that date. 


JOHN CLEVELAND 

John Cleveland was one of the delegates from the 
church by the name of Tugalo River, when the Asso¬ 
ciation was organized in 1818. According to Campbell’s 
History of Georgia Baptists, he was at that time a very 
aged man. In his brief outline of the Tugalo Asso¬ 
ciation, held at Eastanollee in 1819, he speaks of John 
Cleveland as one of four aged ministers who were pres¬ 
ent, Cleveland being more than ninety years of age. 
He was a delegate from Tugalo River at each succeeding 
session until 1822. After that date his name is not men¬ 
tioned again until the session in 1825, when the follow¬ 
ing resolution was passed: 

We make this statement to commemorate the death of our old 
father, John Cleveland, who departed this life on Friday before 
the fourth Sunday in March last, after being a preacher of the 
Gospel for about fifty years. He died in full hope of being re¬ 
ceived to God through Christ, being in the eighty-seventh year of 
his age. 

Albert Henry Newman states in an article in a recent 
number of the Christian Index, that he has in his pos¬ 
session the roughly printed history of the travels of John 
Asphland, who was employed to gather material for a 
history of Baptists in this country, which states that 
in 1789 that Tugalo River was the only Baptist church 
in Franklin County; that John Cleveland was pastor, 
and the membership of the church was 108 persons. 
It is not certainly known who was the founder of this 
church, but the most reasonable conclusion is that it 
was founded by John Cleveland. It may not be amiss 
to state in this connection that Franklin County in 
1789 embraced in her territory what is now Hart, Madi¬ 
son, Oglethorpe, Clark, Oconee, Walton, Jackson, Gwin- 
180 


nett, Banks and Stephens Counties, in Georgia, and a 
large territory in the fork of Seneca and Tugalo Rivers, 
in South Carolina. The territory in South Carolina 
was in dispute at that date, but held by Georgia. This 
statement is made for the purpose of showing that in 
all probability John Cleveland was the first man who 
lifted the standard of the Cross in the territory now 
and formerly embraced by the Tugalo Association. From 
the little vine planted by him in the late years of the 
eighteenth century, arms have spread out East, West, 
North and South, and whatever may be said to the con¬ 
trary, it is now a fairly well established fact that John 
Cleveland was the father of Baptist principles in the 
vast territory embraced by Franklin County in 1789, 
and Tugalo is the Mother Church. 


THOMAS GILBERT 

Thomas Gilbert was a delegate from Tugalo River 
church when the Association was organized in 1818. His 
name continues to appear in the minutes of the Associa¬ 
tion until 1823. After that time his name is never again 
mentioned. He is mentioned in Campbell’s History of 
Georgia Baptists as being present at the second session 
of the body held at Eastanollee in 1819, and a very aged 
man at that time, being more than ninety years of age. 

It is altogether reasonable to suppose that he and John 
Cleveland were very intimately associated in establishing 
the church known as “Tugalo River,” both being dele¬ 
gates from that church at the organization of the Asso¬ 
ciation, and continuing as delegates until 1823, this 
church being the only church in Franklin County inl789. 
No mention is made in the minutes of his death, which 
leads to the conclusion that he may have moved away. 
If he had died a member of the Association his death 
would hardly have been passed by in silence. It is diffi¬ 
cult to prepare a sketch of his life with the meagre 
material at hand. 


181 


LITTLETON MEEKS 


Littleton Meeks was a delegate from the Line Church 
at the time the Association was organized, and a few 
years later served the body as Moderator six years. He 
was evidently a man of more than average ability. At 
the Association at Westminster Church in 1853, a reso¬ 
lution was passed relative to his death, but the date of 
his death is not contained in the resolution, the state¬ 
ment being made ‘ ‘ that since the last session of the body 
he had been called home.” The resolution also states 
that a few years previous to his death he had left the 
Tugalo and become a member of the Clarksville Associa¬ 
tion. When the writer was a very small boy he well 
remembers hearing the older people in the Nails Creek 
community, where he had been pastor for many years, 
speak of him. One thing is well remembered—they in¬ 
variably spoke of him as “Daddy Meeks/* never as 
Brother Meeks. His zeal as a missionary was mentioned 
in connection with the brief account of the missionary 
travels of Dozier Thornton. 


GEORGE VANDIVER 


Of George Vandiver the records state that after the 
Association was organized, he was elected Moderator the 
same day, and served in that capacity first and last for 
four years. He was evidently a much younger man than 
Thornton, Meeks, or Francis Calloway, Sr. According 
to the minutes, he was a very zealous and active member 
of the body from the time it was organized until his 
death, which was some time between the sessions of 1832 
and 1833. At the session of 1833 we find the following 
resolution: 

We deem it a duty to call our beloved brethren’s attention to 
the loss we have sustained by the death of our beloved brother, 
George Vandiver, aged 69 years. He has been faithfully and 
zealously engaged in the cause of our Heavenly Master for 44 

182 


years, and knowing as we did his usefulness amongst us, we greatly 
lament our loss, feeling at the same time it is his great gain. 

In Campbell’s brief outline of the Association, he 
speaks of George Vandiver as one of four aged ministers 
at the session of Eastanollee in 1819. George Vandiver 
was only 54 years of age at that time. Campbell was 
evidently misinformed as to his age. 


FRANCIS CALLOWAY, SR. 

We find no reference whatever in the records as to 
the death of Francis Calloway, Sr. His name appears 
as a delegate from Hunters Creek Church up to and 
including the session of 1820. After that no further 
mention is made of his name. He being a member of 
Hunters Creek Church, perhaps his body reposes in 
the cemetery at that Church. This is only conjecture. 


DAVID QUALS 

At the session of 1845 we find the minutes contain 
the following with respect to the death of David Quals: 

Resolved, To notice the death of our venerable brother, David 
Quals, whom it has pleased God in his Providence to remove from 
his earthly sanctuary, we trust to the church triumphant to rest 
with the Mercers, Reaves, Thornton, Matthews and others in 
Christ, their head, and while we lament the loss of our aged 
brother and father in the Gospel, we deeply sympathize with his 
family and friends. 

We notice in Garrett’s History of the Saluda Associa¬ 
tion, the name of David Quals is frequently mentioned 
as a member of that body. At what time he left that 
body and united with the Tugalo, we have no knowl¬ 
edge. From the above resolution, he was evidently a 
very old man at the time of his death. 

183 


STEPHEN WHITE 


The name of Stephen White appears for the first time 
in the minutes as a delegate from Stekoe Church, 
Rabun County, at the session at Eastanollee in 1819, 
at which time the Stekoe Church was received into the 
body as a member. He was appointed at this session 
to write the Circular Letter for 1820. The minutes con¬ 
tain some extracts from the letter in which he deplores 
the destitution and scarcity of ministers of the Gospel 
on the frontiers of the Association. He urges ministers 
of the body to visit those destitute sections; also to re¬ 
quest the ministers of other Associations to take the same 
under consideration. He evidently was a public-spirited, 
zealous and far-seeing man. His name appears on the 
records as a delegate in 1823. He preached the Intro¬ 
ductory sermon before the body at Henry’s Church in 
1824. As to his life and service after this date we have 
absolutely no knowledge. 


ROBERT PASTWOOD 


Of Robert Pastwood we gather from the minutes at 
the time of the organization he was present as a delegate 
from Perkins Creek, Pendleton, S. C. Also, that he 
preached the Introductory sermon at the second session 
of the body at Eastanollee in 1819. Of his life and 
labors nothing further is known. 


ISAIAH HARBOUR 


The name of Isaiah Harbour appears as a delegate 
from Nails Creek Church. From the organization of the 
body, including the session of 1821, when the name of 
Nails Creek Church is dropped from the roll, and does 
184 


not appear again until the session held at Clarks Creek 
in 1869, the minutes state that ‘‘She was received 
into the union as a member of this body.” We presume 
when she left the Tugalo that she attached herself to 
the Sarepta. If this presumption is correct, it accounts 
for the name of Isaiah Harbour being no longer men¬ 
tioned as a member of this body. 

Others who went into the organization may have been 
ministers. The prefix ‘ ‘ Rev. ’’ nowhere appears, and per¬ 
haps this is not only “well enough,” but best. The 
names given were all active in the deliberations of the 
body, most of the business being by common consent as¬ 
signed to the ministry, just as it is now, the responsi¬ 
bility having to be assumed by someone, the preacher 
came forward and shouldered it. What a great con¬ 
venience preachers are sometimes! 


FRANCIS CALLOWAY, JR. 

The name of Francis Calloway, Jr., appears on the 
records from the organization of the Association until 
1827, at which session he was elected Moderator. After 
this time his name disappears from the minutes till we 
find the following resolution passed by the Association 
at the session at Eastanollee in 1867: 

With sympathy and solemnity, we deem it our duty to chroni¬ 
cle the death of Kev. Francis Calloway, Jr., whose services as 
a minister of the Gospel we, as an Association, have an abundant 
reason to esteem and highly appreciate, having early in life de¬ 
voted himself to the ministry. He was ordained in our boundary, 
and was an efficient member of our body for many years. 

The resolution further states that he was called to 
his reward in 1864 or 1865, while on his way to an ap¬ 
pointment in the State of Alabama, where he then 
resided. 


185 


SAMUEL HYMER 


Samuel Hymer was quite prominent as a member of 
the Association for a number of years; was Moderator 
for three sessions, and was an active missionary under 
appointment of the Domestic Mission Board. Rev. Wil¬ 
liam Kelly told the writer of these sketches that he went 
astray; was deposed from the ministry; excluded from 
the church, and left this country in disgrace. 


HENRY DAVID 

Henry David was Moderator of the Association for 
three sessions, and from the records he appears to have 
been an active and zealous worker. He afterwards left 
the body and joined the Oconee Association. (A Hard¬ 
shell body.) 

We here give a list of ministers of whom absolutely 
nothing is known except that their names appear on 
the minutes of these early years of the Association. Peo¬ 
ple were leaving and going west at that period, not only 
families, but by colonies, and doubtless many of these 

ministers were among the number: Sami. Garrald,- 

McMinn, H. Davis, John Bramlett, Joseph Byers, Lewis 
Ballard, M. W. Vandiver, John Suggs, Andrew Cobb, 
I. I. Salmon, P. F. Burgess, B. Chambers, John West, 
Simeon Hembree. In the above named list, the name of 
Lewis Ballard appears as Moderator in 1835, and J. W. 
Lewis as Moderator in 1839. 


JOHN A. DAVIS 

The name of this eminent servant of Christ appears 
for the first time in the minutes of the Association con¬ 
vened at Stekoe Church, Rabun County, Ga., Sept. 17, 
186 



1831, as a delegate from Poplar Springs Church. He 
preached the Introductory sermon in 1836, and was 
elected Moderator at the session held at Holly Springs 
Church in 1838, which position he filled, first and last, 
for fifteen years. At the session held at Hunters Creek 
Church in 1855 he was relieved as Moderator and suit¬ 
able resolutions were passed expressing the thanks of 
the body for his long and efficient service as their pre¬ 
siding officer. He, together with other ministers, was 
employed for many years to travel and preach in the 
destitute territory within the bounds of the Association. 
Strange to relate, after an active life spent in earnest 
efforts and at great sacrifices upon his part to build up 
the cause and spread the Gospel, when he was a very 
aged man his mind became greatly disturbed on the 
subject of the ladies wearing jewelry, but more especially 
on the subject of Free Masonry, and finally about the 
year 1866, he, together with W. F. Bowers (later known 
as “Uncle Bill”) declared himself no longer of the 
body. He then established what he was pleased to call 
his ‘ ‘ Reformation Church. ’ ’ He organized a few follow¬ 
ers into a church near his home four miles below Toccoa 
on the Elberton Railroad, and known as ‘ ‘ Philadelphia. ’ ’ 
Also, he built up a like organization on the plat of 
ground where the dwelling house of Mr. Earl Camp now 
stands, about one-fourth of a mile from where Ebenezer 
Church stood at that time. 

There was another organization near where the town 
of Canon is built, but the writer does not know the 
exact location. These little organizations had a kind 
of sickly existence for a few years, and after his death 
became extinct. The organization near Canon may still 
have an existence, but the writer is under the impression 
that after the death of W. F. Bowers that body passed 
out of existence. 

Where John A. Davis was born, where he first joined 
the church or when or where he was ordained to the 
ministry we have no knowledge. He was quite an aged 
man in 1869, when the writer saw him the first time, and 
only preached occasionally. He was regarded as a very 

187 


pure man. His character, both religious and moral, 
was unimpeachable. His departure from the Associa¬ 
tion was a source of grief to his brethren who had loved 
and honored him. It was the mistake of a great and 
good man. 


JOHN G. YORK 

From the best information obtainable, which is very 
meagre, John G. York entered the ministry not later 
than 1850, possibly as early as 1847. He was ordained 
to the ministry at Hunters Creek Church. This informa¬ 
tion was obtained from Rev. William Kelly, with whom 
the writer of these sketches was intimately associated 
for a few years previous to his death. He often referred 
to York as an able minister, and also as a man of fine 
intellect. The writer never saw John G. York, though 
ten years old when he left Georgia in 1861. He was 
elected Ordinary of Franklin County for the fourth con¬ 
secutive term, and resigned the office when he removed 
from this state to Alabama. His son, A. J. York, also a 
minister, now living in Florida, stated to the writer that 
his father left Alabama and moved to Tennessee, where 
he died about 1864. 


WILLIAM KELLY 

William Kelly was born in South Carolina and was a 
citizen of that state until he reached middle-age. He 
married a Miss Sally Frazier when quite young. Just 
when he came to Georgia we do not know. Of his life 
in his younger manhood he told the writer that he was 
somewhat wayward. He said that his conduct was such 
that the church of which he was a member withdrew 
fellowship from him in his absence, which angered him 
so greatly that he determined to live and die out of the 
church. He said he was engaged in a kind of work that 
188 


claimed his undivided attention, and while pursuing his 
daily avocation he thought frequently of his standing as 
an excluded member, when it occurred to him that the 
church could get along all right without him, but could 
he get along without the restraining influence of the 
church? Reasoning further on the subject, he said that 
it occurred to him that if the church had done wrong, 
he was the cause of it. He said he then and there de¬ 
termined to go at the very next conference and ask to 
be restored to fellowship, which accordingly he did, and 
ever after lived a consistent Christian life. 

He was ordained to the ministry on the 11th day of 
November, 1850, at Hunters Creek Church, by a Pres¬ 
bytery consisting of John A. Davis, James Brown and 
F. H. Attaway. He was not a man of wide reading, 
but he knew the contents of his Bible. The Gospel was 
his theme not only in the pulpit, but wheresoever he 
went. He was generally known as a great fireside 
preacher. His life as a minister was a very active one. 
He was pastor of quite a number of churches in the 
Association, some of them several miles from his home, 
and, sad to say, he preached to these churches for little, 
and in some instances no compensation. He was em¬ 
ployed by the Domestic Mission Board in 1875-76 to 
travel and preach and act as Colporteur. He was the 
right man in the right place. He scattered over the 
territory of the Association a great amount of instructive 
literature, besides his preaching appointments at school 
houses as well as in the homes he visited, for it was a 
custom then to have preaching wherever the preacher 
went to spend the night. He was a man greatly beloved. 
To say that everybody loved him would be an exaggera¬ 
tion, for there are people who dislike others upon account 
of their purity of life, if for no other cause. 

He was called from his earthly labors to his Heavenly 
reward on the 28th day of February, 1880, and was 
buried at Hunters Creek Church on the day following, 
being the fifth Sunday in February. After divine ser¬ 
vice by the writer, and that prince of preachers, Rev. 
David H. Payne, his body was borne to its last resting 
189 


place by the following named ministers: W. M. Rampley, 
David H. Payne, J. H. Sullivan and J. F. Goode. 

The Gospel was his joy and song, even to his latest breath, 
The truth he had proclaimed so long was his support in death. 


WILLIAM CATLETT 


Of William Catlett nothing is known except his con¬ 
nection with the Association in its annual sessions. He 
must have lived within the territory of the Line Church, 
near Hollingsworth, in Banks County, and now belong¬ 
ing to the Liberty Association. His name frequently 
appears as a delegate from that church. He appears 
to have been quite active in the deliberations of the body 
for a few years, when his name no longer appears in the 
list of ministers. 


DAVID H. PAYNE 


David H. Payne was born in Franklin County, Ga., 
on Middle River, seven miles West of Carnesville, where 
he grew to manhood. His father being a wealthy planter 
and it being the custom in ante-bellum days for the sons 
of slave holders to work on the farm with the colored 
laborers, young David was no exception to the rule. It 
was not considered a matter of great importance in those 
days that a boy should be educated, hence his educational 
advantages were very limited, being confined to the com¬ 
mon or what was at that time known as the “Old-field 
schools’’ of the country. He united with the church 
at Nails Creek in 1847, and soon thereafter began to 
exercise in public. He was ordained to the full work 
of the ministry at Indian Creek in 1854, to which church 
he had removed his membership when the church was 
constituted in 1850. He must have been the pastor of 
churches before his ordination. The writer well remem- 
190 


bers hearing his father and mother speak of him as 
actively engaged in the ministry as early as 1851. He 
was happily married to Miss Zemily B. Brown, the 
daughter of a Baptist preacher. He was wise in the 
fact that he selected a pious woman for a wife, of whom 
Solomon declares, 4 ‘She will do him good, and not evil, 
all the days of her life,” Proverbs 31:12. To this union 
were born nine children. One of the children died in 
infancy. All of his children have given evidence of 
genuine piety. His youngest son, William Goss Payne, 
is a Deacon of New Bethel Church, and uses the office 
well. Robert Poole, the youngest preacher in our Asso¬ 
ciation, is a great-grandson of his. The writer has heard 
the ablest preachers in Georgia and South Carolina 
under conditions when they put forth their best efforts, 
and he records as his deliberate conviction that David 
H. Payne was naturally one of the greatest preachers, 
for his limited opportunities, he has ever known. His 
person, his countenance, his voice, the throes of his gi¬ 
gantic mind, the conception of his great Christian soul— 
all proclaimed him great. I visited him often during his 
last illness. He never failed to tell me to preach at his 
funeral. He went home in June, 1883. His body rests 
in the family burial ground near his homestead. A 
plain monument marks his grave, inscribed only with 
his name and the simple inscription: “A sinner saved 
by grace. ? ’ 


JOHN H. ADERHOLD 

John H. Aderhold was ordained to the full work of 
the ministry at Carnesville Baptist Church, Dec. 30th, 
1855, by the following named ministers acting as Pres¬ 
bytery: John A. Davis, David H. Payne and John G. 
York. We presume he was brought up at or in the com¬ 
munity of Carnesville, Ga. His father, Abraham Ader¬ 
hold, was a member and deacon of Carnesville Church in 
its early history, as appears from the records. The 
writer remembers hearing him preach when a very small 
191 


boy, and was impressed that be believed all be said, and 
wanted others to believe it. He was a very impressive 
preacher and greatly beloved. He was employed from 
year to year by the Domestic Mission Board to travel 
and preach in the destitute sections of the Association. 
At the meeting of the body at Liberty, S. C., the body 
held an election by ballot for a missionary to travel 
and preach in the bounds of the Association, when on 
exhibition of the second ballot, J. H. Aderhold was 
declared duly elected for the term of six months at a 
salary of $1.00 per day. He came forward and accepted 
the work. His report shows that he rendered efficient 
service. Besides his service as pastor at his home church 
and other churches in the Association, he was for several 
years pastor at Blacks Creek and Academy Church in 
the Sarepta Association. He removed to Gordon County, 
Ga., about 1866, where he departed this life October 21st, 
1868. He was an earnest, zealous and faithful minister 
of Jesus Christ. 


A. W. McGUFFIN 

A. W. McGuffin was a citizen of South Carolina. He 
was educated at Penfield, and the minutes show that he 
was Moderator of the Association in 1842, and again in 
1845. He was far above the average in ability as a 
preacher. The writer was impressed that he could preach 
with as few words and make himself clearly understood 
as any man he ever heard. The great doctrines of grace 
was his theme, and these he stated clearly and boldly, 
and never apologized for believing and preaching these 
doctrines. When the Fork Association (now the Beaver- 
dam) was organized, he left the Tugalo to go into the 
organization of that body. He was Moderator of that 
body from the time it was organized in 1852 until the 
session at Westminster, 1880, when at his own request 
he was relieved. The author of this sketch was present 
as a messenger from the Tugalo. As to the time of his 
death, we know absolutely nothing. 

192 


JESSE BROWN 


Jesse Brown was truly a wonderful man in many 
respects. According to facts gathered from himself and 
others, his opportunities in childhood and youth were 
extremely limited. I think he was a native of South 
Carolina. If so, he came to Georgia when quite a young 
man. The writer heard him say that he was ordained 
to the ministry in 1864, but at what church he did not 
state. He was somewhat abrupt in speech and manner, 
but he had a magnetism about him which made him 
popular, and this magnetism (whatever it was) was more 
manifest in the pulpit than elsewhere. He was what 
churches now seek after, a drawing preacher and his 
congregation ‘ ‘ stayed drawn. ’ ’ He constituted and built 
the church at Pleasant Hill in 1872, and continued as 
pastor until 1887, when he moved away to Alabama. He 
was pastor of a number of the churches in the Tugalo 
Association: Pleasant Grove, Eastanollee, Poplar 
Springs and Middle River; besides some churches in 
South Carolina. The churches always prospered under 
his ministry. What part of Alabama he made his home, 
or the time of his death, we know nothing. He was a 
consecrated Christian man. All those who knew him 
best had the utmost confidence in his sincerity. 


JOHN M. MASSEY 

John M. Massey came from the Sarepta Association 
in 1878, and settled at Carnesville, Ga. He was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry at Carnesville Baptist 
Church by a Presbytery consisting of: T. G. Underwood, 
D. H. Payne, J. H. Sullivan, G. W. Carroll and J. R. 
Ivie, on the 3rd day of October, 1879. Brother Massey 
was a noble man and a promising young minister. He 
died of tuberculosis in Sept., 1881. He was a young man 
of far more than ordinary mental endowments. Why 
one so promising should be taken off so early in life is 
193 | 


one of those mysteries that staggers us, but we shall 
know, for in the light of the Throne no dark mystery 
can live. 


THOMAS CRYMES 

Thomas Crymes spent his boyhood, as he has told the 
writer, until he was twenty years of age, about equally 
in Alabama and Georgia. He entered the service of the 
Confederate States in 1861, and served as a private 
soldier until the Confederacy collapsed in 1865. Upon 
his return home he was elected Tax Receiver of Franklin 
County, which position he held for four years. He was 
elected to the Lower House of the Legislature of Georgia 
in 1874, which position he filled for one term. He was 
ordained to the ministry at Carnesville Baptist Church, 
Dec., 1866, by D. H. Payne, H. M. Barton and J. H. 
Aderhold. He was a man of superior ability, and for a 
dozen years was easily the most popular preacher in the 
body. His tall, erect form, his flashing blue eyes, his 
musical, shrill voice, his wonderful command of language, 
are still fresh in the memory of people now living. How 
beautiful this side of the picture! But, alas, there is 
another side; hush and tread softly, we dare not further 
go, for those then living know his sad story. He went 
down under the dark cloud of intemperance, and here 
let us draw the veil. 


JOHN G. BRYAN 

John G. Bryan came to Georgia from North Carolina 
in 1864, and settled on a farm on Crocketts Creek, in 
Franklin County, Ga. He was pastor of Indian Creek, 
Middle River and Nails Creek, and one year at Carnes¬ 
ville. After ten years he sold his farm in Franklin and 
settled on a farm in Banks County, on Hudson River, 
about five miles above Homer, where he spent the re¬ 
mainder of his earthly life. Though an old man when 
he moved to Banks County, such was his love for the 
194 


cause, that he still engaged actively in church work. He 
founded and built up the church at Silver Shoals, after 
he was more than seventy-five years of age. This church 
is now one of the most flourishing churches in the Enon 
Association. He also constituted the church at Belton, 
on the Southern R. R. He was an untiring worker and 
did most of his preaching for little or no compensation. 
He passed away about 1902, in full hope of a blessed 
immortality. 

Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of 
that man is peace. 


J. H. SULLIVAN 

J. H. Sullivan was born and reared in South Carolina, 
within the bounds of the Saluda Association, and was 
educated at Penfield. About what time he entered the 
ministry we have no knowledge. He came to Georgia 
about 1869. He was pastor of Indian Creek Church for 
nine consecutive years; also Hunters Creek, Clarks Creek 
and perhaps other churches. He held the office of Tax 
Receiver for four years. In 1882 he removed to Madison, 
S. C., and engaged in the mercantile business and 
amassed a considerable fortune. After his removal to 
South Carolina, I think he never was actively engaged 
in the ministry. He took an active part in organizing 
and supporting the church at Madison, near his home. 
He departed this life very suddenly late in December, 
1899. I think he was about sixty years old at the time 
of his death. The writer preached his funeral on Sunday 
afternoon, the day following his death. He was truly 
a lovable man and always cheerful. ‘ * The memory of the 
righteous is blessed.” 

ASA AVERY 

Of Asa Avery the writer knows comparatively little. 
He was a citizen of Hart County, Ga., and I think a 
member of Reed Creek Church. In 1883 the church of 
195 


which he was a member, together with a number of other 
churches, withdrew from the Tugalo to go into the or¬ 
ganization of the Hebron Association, and if he ever at¬ 
tended another session of the Tugalo, I have no recollec¬ 
tion of his presence. Where he lived at the time of his 
death, or what date he passed away, we know absolutely 
nothing. He was a very affable man. As to his minis¬ 
terial gifts, nothing is known. His work in the ministry 
was in Hart County, and perhaps in Elbert County. 
We think there is no doubt that he was a good and faith¬ 
ful minister of Jesus Christ. 


WILLIAM F. BOWERS 

William F. Bowers was perhaps the most widely- 
known of any minister who ever was a member of the 
Tugalo Association. He was a man of State-wide repu¬ 
tation. He was a member of the Constitutional Con¬ 
vention in 1868. Upon his return home he was elected 
State Senator of his District, composed of the counties 
of Hart, Franklin and Habersham. The writer was well 
acquainted with the subject of this sketch, and was 
pleased to claim him as his friend. Anyone well ac¬ 
quainted with him would be impressed that he was a 
very conscientious man and a very devout Christian. He 
had the courage of his convictions under any and all 
circumstances. Having had the pleasure of hearing him 
preach one time only, if his discourse on that occasion 
was a fair sample of his ability in the pulpit, he would 
be considered a preacher far above the average. He 
was a man of wide information, of broad views, and far 
in advance of the age in which he lived. He was the 
possessor of a fine library, and to hear him talk on any 
subject, one would be convinced that he was a man of 
no ordinary mind. What year he entered the ministry, 
we do not know, and have no means of ascertaining. 
He was employed for some time as a missionary under 
the Domestic Mission Board. He was Clerk of the As- 
196 


sociation from 1861 to 1864; was pastor of Indian Creek, 
Poplar Springs and a number of churches now members 
of the Hebron Association. His departure from the 
Association on account of the ladies wearing jewelry, 
and more especially his violent opposition to Free 
Masonry, was referred to in the sketch given of the life 
and ministry of John A. Davis. Now which led the 
other in this departure, this writer saith not, but there 
was certainly some leading done. We leave everyone 
to draw their own conclusions. He departed this life 
about 1906. Of this we are not certain, for we write 
from memory. His going off from the Association was 
a source of great grief to his brethren, who had been as¬ 
sociated with him for so many years. They felt they had 
lost a wise counsellor from the deliberations of the body. 
The present efficient Moderator, Claude Bond, is a 
nephew of his. 


ALEXANDER H. TERRELL 

Whether A. H. Terrell was a native of Georgia or not, 
we have no knowledge, but have the impression, obtained 
somewhere, that he was born in North Carolina. Of this 
we are not certain. The following brief sketch furnished 
by his grandson, Dr. John H. Edge, is all that is ob¬ 
tainable of the life and service of this great and good 
man: “Alexander Hamilton Terrell, born April 6th, 
1822, died March 11th, 1882. Married to Clarrisa Hun¬ 
ter, Dec. 3rd, 1846. Ordained to the ministry at New 
Hope Church, 1859.” 

When the writer was a youth he heard him preach 
often at New Hope Church, where he was then pastor. 
This was in 1867. He was tall and handsome; he had 
a lovely appearance in the pulpit and was very deliberate 
in speaking. About 1869 he became afflicted and with¬ 
drew from the pastorate, though he continued to preach 
occasionally. In 1874 he was elected to the Legislature 
from Habersham County, and served one term. Two 
197 


years later in private conversation he remarked to the 
writer then a young man, “No more politics for me.” 
He then advised me to steer clear of politics. 

He always attended the sessions of the Association, 
and took a very active part in the deliberations of the 
body. He was one of the leading spirits in organizing 
and building the church at Shiloh, which was constituted 
about 1880 or 1881. (I write from memory.) Early in 
1882 he became seriously afflicted and sent for me. When 
I reached his home and looked into his face, I was im¬ 
pressed that he was sick for the grave. I spent the night 
and the next day with him. He told me that he wanted 
me to preach his funeral, and after divine service he 
wanted the Masonic Fraternity to bury his body. When 
I took my leave he held on to my hand for a moment 
and remarked “All is well.” As stated above, in the 
sketch furnished by Dr. Edge, he fell asleep March 11th, 
1882. According to promise and in compliance with 
his dying request, I preached his funeral on the day 
following his death, from 2 Samuel 3:38: “ Know ye 
not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this 
day in Israel ? ’ 9 His body sleeps in the family cemetery 
at the old Hunter homestead on Toccoa Creek. I am 
now eleven years older than he was at the time of his 
death. I hope soon to meet him again. 


G. W. CARROLL 


G. W. Carroll was a most zealous and consecrated 
minister, and made sacrifices that he might preach the 
Gospel, that comparatively few are willing to make. He 
was born and reared and spent practically all his life 
in Franklin County. When only sixteen years of age 
he entered the service of the Confederate States, and 
served until Lee surrendered in 1865, and was present 
at Appomattox on the day of the surrender. He told 
the writer that he was converted while in service, in 
the State of Virginia. He was ordained to the ministry 
198 


at Clarks Creek Church in 1878,1. H. Goss, T. G. Under¬ 
wood, William Kelly and J. R. Ivie acting as Presbytery. 
He was pastor at Tugalo, New Hope, Beaverdam and 
Damascus Churches in Banks County, and was largely 
instrumental in the establishment of the Liberty Baptist 
Church, near Carnesville, and served the church as pas¬ 
tor for a number of years. His greatest gift was in 
his wonderful powers of exhortation. In every relation 
of life he was faithful and true. He filled the office of 
Tax Collector of Franklin County for one term. He 
was a minister for nearly thirty years. He passed away 
at Avalon, Ga., in 1905. Funeral services were con¬ 
ducted by his lifelong friend, W. W. Stowe, and his 
pastor, P. F. Crawford, and his body rests in the ceme¬ 
tery at Cross Roads, the church he loved so well. 

Now he resides where Jesus is, above this changeful sphere; 

His soul was ripened for that bliss while yet he sojourned here. 


E. P. STONE 

E. P. Stone was a man of advanced age when he came 
to Georgia from South Carolina, in 1888. He was pastor 
for a short time of a few churches, but owing to the 
infirmities of age and the loss of his sight, he was never 
very active in the work while a member of the Associa¬ 
tion. He was a very affable and companionable man 
and seemed to feel a deep interest in the cause of Christ. 
He passed to his reward at his home near Red Hill, some 
time between the sessions of the Association in 1915 and 
1916. As to his early ministerial life, absolutely nothing 
is known. 


W. A. SEGERS 

W. A. Segers was ordained to the ministry at New 
Bethel, in September, 1875, William Kelly, W. B. Brown, 
James Wilson, J. J. Wilson, David H. Payne and J. II. 
199 


Sullivan acting as Presbytery. He served through the 
war between the States from 1861 to 1864, was twice 
wounded in the battle at Bakers Creek, and was ever 
after a sufferer from these wounds, which incapacitated 
him for an active ministerial life. He was pastor at 
New Bethel, New Hope and Leatherwood. He was more 
acceptable in evangelistic work than as a pastor. He 
always seemed to feel burdens when he assumed the 
duties of a pastor. He was a fine English scholar and 
had a fair knowledge of the classics. He followed teach¬ 
ing until he was nearly fifty years old, when he aban¬ 
doned teaching and devoted the remaining years of his 
life to looking after his farm. He was a man of fine 
executive ability, and during his long life accumulated 
considerable property. Some time in 1922 he laid down 
a life which had known as much of suffering as comfort. 
“Prom sorrow, toil and pain” he is now free. His body 
sleeps in the cemetery at Prospect Methodist Church, by 
the side of his wife, who preceded him to the better land 
about fifteen years ago. He was 86 years old at the time 
of his death. 


M. M. CROW 

A better man than M. M. Crow never lived. Smooth, 
quiet, affable, he enjoyed the confidence of his brethren, 
and was considered the balance-wheel of the church at 
Ziden, where he held membership. He was ordained to 
the ministry on the first day of January 1885, W. J. 
Purcell and the writer acting as Presbytery. His work as 
a pastor was confined to his home church, Providence, 
Shiloh and Middle Eiver, all near his home. He served 
through the war between the States and contracted a 
weakness or disease of the lungs, from which he was a 
great sufferer. Several years prior to his death he gave 
up all church work and never preached again. He lived 
an exemplary Christian life. He was 76 years of age 
at the time of his death, which occurred at his home, in 
Franklin County, in 1920. 

200 


WILLIAM WASHINGTON STOWE 


W. W. Stowe was borne and brought up on his father’s 
farm, near Eastanollee Church, where he spent his en¬ 
tire life until his removal to Toccoa a few years before 
his death. He united with the church at Eastanollee 
early in life and remained a member of that church the 
remainder of his life. He was ordained to the ministry 
in November, 1884, T. J. Stonecypher, W. J. Purcell 
and the writer composing the Presbytery. From the 
time of his ordination to the close of his life, he was 
pastor of his home church, with the exception of three 
years, when by his request, the church relieved him and 
called another pastor. He was instrumental in establish¬ 
ing the church at Rock Creek, and served as pastor 
several years after its organization. He was pastor at 
New Hope for ten years, also Liberty Hill, Ebenezer. 
Tates Creek, Ziden and some churches in South Carolina, 
If he was not a great preacher, he was certainly a good 
preacher. No man in the section in which he spent his 
life ever wielded greater influence for good. Wherever 
he was pastor he had large congregations, and perhaps 
baptized more converts than any other minister in the 
Association, considering the circumscribed sphere in 
which he labored. 

He was a good man and true. He and the writer al¬ 
ways agreed that the blood of Christ was the remedy and 
the only remedy for sin. About everything else, almost, 
we disagreed. He was opposed to the methods employed 
by our Mission Boards. I was equally as much in favor 
of our methods, and every enterprise fostered by our 
Association. We were equally as far apart politically, 
and if possible, further apart in our likings and dis- 
likings of men and the measures they advocated. With all 
of our disagreements our friendship never grew cold, 
our love never was chilled, our feelings toward each 
other never were strained. It was not strange that I 
would love him, but how he came to conceive a prefer¬ 
ence for me is not so easily explained. No one who 
201 


understood him would dislike him. Some of our 
brethren thought he was obstinate, but they were just 
as obstinate as he, though not quite so bold. He de¬ 
parted this life at his home, in Toccoa, in the year 1915. 
Funeral services were held at Eastanollee the day follow¬ 
ing, conducted by W. J. Purcell and J. Fred Eden, Jr. 
His body sleeps in the cemetery near the church. 

Servant of God, well done, rest from thy loved employ, 

The battle fought, the victory won, enter thy Master’s joy. 


L. K. PARHAM 

This devoted servant of Christ was the second son of 
Elder J. B. Parham. His mother’s maiden name was 
Wilson. He was born in Union County, Ga., about 
60 years ago. Having been brought up in the nurture 
and admonition of the Lord, he was converted early in 
life and attached himself to one of the churches in his 
native county, and was baptized by his father. In 1890, 
he moved to Banks County, Ga. and became a member 
of Webbs Creek Church, where he was ordained to the 
ministry in 1891, the following named brethren acting 
as Presbytery: J. B. Parham, W. B. J. Hardman, and 
C. T. Burgess. He was later called to pastoral care of 
this, his home church, and during the time of his service, 
his ministry was signally blessed. He was also pastor 
at Indian Creek, Hunters Creek, Cross Roads, Clarks 
Creek and some other churches in the Tugalo Association. 
He removed to Ila, in Madison County, and was pastor 
at Ila, Carlton, Shiloh and Providence in the Sarepta 
Association. Later he made his home at Lavonia, Ga., 
where he departed this life in February, 1919. Truly 
“He was a good man.” 

T. G. UNDERWOOD 

The subject of this sketch was born in Elbert County, 
Ga., the 21st day of October, 1826, and was one of eleven 
children, five females and six males. His grandfather, 
202 


Joseph Underwood, soon after his marriage to Miss Hen¬ 
derson, moved from Culpepper County, Ya., to Elbert 
County, Ga., where he raised a large family. His father, 
Dr. Joseph Underwood, was the youngest child of Joseph 
Underwood. His father was united in marriage to 
Mariah Dunegan, of Habersham County, Ga., in the 
year 1824, and in 1830 they moved from Elbert County 
to Habersham. His father was a regular practicing 
physician, having a very large and extensive practice 
which caused him to be absent from home most of the 
time, consequently the rearing of his children mainly 
devolved upon his wife, who was a woman of small 
stature, but exceedingly sprightly and active, a firm 
Baptist, with a lovely disposition, and very much dis¬ 
tinguished for her deep piety. Here T. G. Underwood 
grew up and under several good teachers he secured a 
thorough English education. Here he studied medicine 
under his father, and, after practicing with him for four 
years, he went to Nashville, Tenn., where he graduated 
with first honors at the Medical College the first day of 
March, 1854. After his graduation he returned to 
Georgia and settled in Cherokee County, where he con¬ 
tinued the practice of his profession. Often from early 
youth he had serious impressions on the subject of re¬ 
ligion, but was never thoroughly awakened until the 
death of his praying mother, which was the 19th day of 
October, 1852. Just before she expired she called him 
to her bedside, took him by the hand and said: ‘ ‘ Good¬ 
bye, be a better boy and meet me in Heaven.” This, as 
an instrument in the hands of God, brought deep and 
pungent conviction, which resulted in conversion, and he 
was baptized by Elder Thomas M. Kinsey, and became 
a member of Providence Church, in the year 1855. From 
this church he moved his membership to Mount Olivet 
Church, where he was ordained to the ministry on the 
29th day of March, 1864, Elders Thomas Burgess, Wil¬ 
liam C. Edwards and William A. Finley composing the 
Presbytery. He continued the practice of his profession, 
was pastor of Canton Church and other churches in 
Cherokee County until the year 1871, when he moved 
203 


to Morgan County, Ala., where he remained until 
February, 1875, when he left in consequence of failing 
health, and came to Franklin County, Ga., where he re¬ 
sided at the time of his death, on the 30th day of Nov., 
1898. . 

During his stay in Alabama he served a number of 
churches, and for two years was Moderator of the Cateco 
Creek Baptist Association. In 1877 he represented the 
31st Senatorial District in the Constitutional Conven¬ 
tion. He was twice elected to the Lower House of the 
Georgia Legislature, and served the Tugalo Association 
as Moderator for a period of twelve years. As a minister 
he stood high in the estimation of the people generally. 
He was an unflinching Baptist. In his personal inter¬ 
course with his brethren he was kind, never neglecting 
any because of humble circumstances, nor too much re¬ 
garding others on account of any distinction recognized 
in worldly society. As a speaker he was clear and 
pointed, and delighted to dwell upon the doctrine of 
salvation by grace, and kindred doctrines. He was twice 
married, the first time to Rebecca C. Cantrell, of Lump¬ 
kin County, Ga., and afterwards to Judith Ann Clayton, 
of South Carolina. He was the father of eleven chil¬ 
dren, four sons and seven daughters. In personal ap¬ 
pearance he was above medium height, with black hair 
and eyes, rather dark complexion, of a nervous tempera¬ 
ment, social, kind and hospitable in disposition. Court 
was in session at the time of his burial. Judge Hutchins 
adjourned court for the day, that his friends might at¬ 
tend the burial. After funeral services, conducted by 
the writer, the body was turned over to the Masonic 
fraternity and interred with the usual formalities, Grand 
Master Shannon presiding. 

The foregoing sketch is taken largely from a brief 
diary kept by Dr. Underwood, and furnished by his 
daughter, Miss Callie Underwood. 


204 


JOHN MOORE 


Of the early life of John Moore we know absolutely 
nothing, nor have we any means of obtaining any in¬ 
formation. When the writer was seven years old he well 
remembers his being a frequent visitor in his father’s 
home. He was at that time an old man. He lived on 
his farm, in Franklin County, nine miles west of Carnes- 
ville, on the Carnesville and Gainsville public road. He 
was considered a minister of far more than ordinary 
ability. He was a Doctor of Divinity and was said to 
be one of the most thoroughly educated men of that 
time, being a graduate, but of what College or University 
nothing is now known. His son, V. A. S. Moore, who 
spent his life on the farm where he was brought up, and 
who died about 1915, once showed the writer of this 
sketch his father’s Hebrew Bible. He enlisted as a 
private and entered the service of the Confederate States 
in 1861, and died at Savannah, Ga., in November follow¬ 
ing. The writer remembers hearing a report soon after 
his death, that such was the reputation he had made as a 
minister during his brief life in Savannah, that a delega¬ 
tion was sent from the First Baptist Church, requesting 
that his body be turned over to the church for burial, 
which was granted. His son, James M. Moore, who went 
to Mississippi about 1860, was for many years a promi¬ 
nent minister in that State. He died about fifteen years 
ago. At the session of the Association in 1862, the 
following resolution was drawn up and signed by W. F. 
Bowers and D. H. Payne, and was adopted and entered 
on the minutes: 

We find that God in His providence, since our last session, has 
broken the tie that here upon earth united us, the Christian part 
as well as the general community, to our much beloved, aged 
brother, John Moore. The subject of this report by his unwaver¬ 
ing energy in the cause of Christ, peculiarly distinguished himself 
as a devoted man of God by labors of love as a minister of Christ, 
not only in the pulpit, but upon all occasions. He particularly 
evinced, to all discerning minds, his efficiency as an able instructor 
in the great truths and doctrines of the Bible. And in the close 
of his life he proved that he not only esteemed the cause of Christ, 

205 


but that he was a patriot indeed, in this that he at a very advanced 
age in life sacrificed the comfort of home and the social inter¬ 
course of friends, and entered the service of his country in de¬ 
fense of its rights, and enduring for a short time the privations 
of the camp, died a soldier’s death. We bless the name of God 
for the lives of such men, though they are not in person with us 
to instruct, yet their examples are before us to teach us how 
Christians ought to live. 


THOMAS H. HATHCOCK 

Thomas H. Hathcock was bom Dec. 1, 1827. Died 
March, 1891. Was married to Sarah A. Hathcock Nov. 
23, 1848. He was ordained to the ministry at Middle 
River Church, but the record makes no mention of the 
date. (He told the writer that he was ordained at 
Middle River.) He was a man of fine executive ability 
and accumulated a handsome estate. Being in easy cir¬ 
cumstances he dispensed hospitality with a bountiful 
hand. He delighted to have his friends visit him and 
took pains to make their visit enjoyable. He was of a 
cheerful disposition and always made everyone feel bet¬ 
ter for having met him. As stated above, he departed 
this life March 1, 1891. The funeral service was con¬ 
ducted by the writer of this brief sketch. His body 
rests in the cemetery at Indian Creek Church. 


H. M. BARTON 

H. M. Barton was a native of South Carolina, and 
spent his long and useful life at Fair Play, in that State. 
According to Garrett’s History of the Saluda Associa¬ 
tion, he was actively engaged, in the earlier years of 
his ministry, as a pastor in that body, and quite promi¬ 
nent in the deliberations of the Association. His name 
first appears in the minutes of the Tugalo about 1850. 
At the Session in 1856 he was elected Moderator, which 
position he filled first and last for 18 years. When the 
206 


Beaverdam Association was organized in 1881, he, with 
the church of his membership, left the Tugalo and be¬ 
came a member of that body. He was both an able and 
earnest preacher of the Gospel, and was pastor of sev¬ 
eral churches both in Georgia and South Carolina. We 
have no knowledge of the exact date of his death, but 
writing from memory, we think his death occurred about 
1889. 


W. H. ARIAIL 

W. H. Ariail was a native of South Carolina. At what 
time he came to Georgia and settled on Nails Creek, 
where he lived until his death in 1894, we do not know. 
He was a citizen of Georgia as long ago as the writer can 
remember. He was baptized into the fellowship of Nails 
Creek Church in August, 1860, (he was the first person 
I ever saw baptized), by David H. Payne. Up to the 
time of his uniting with the Baptist church, he was a 
Class Leader in the Methodist Society. When inquired 
of by the writer of this sketch why he joined the Bap¬ 
tist Church, he said that Payne taught him the way of 
the Lord more perfectly than he had ever been taught; 
that upon investigation he learned that he had always 
been a Baptist, only he didn’t know it. The only 
licensed minister, he was a very useful man. He was 
a man of great influence in his home church and was 
always on the right side of every question, and a man 
of unusual firmness and decision of character. He 
passed away in 1894. His body sleeps in the cemetery 
at Nails Creek, the church he loved so well. “ Precious 
in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” 


L. B. NORTON 

This aged and highly esteemed minister of the Gospel 
was born in Franklin County, Ga., and spent his long and 
useful life in Franklin and Banks Counties. As long 
207 


ago as 1857, he was a middle aged man and actively en¬ 
gaged in the ministry. He was truly a pioneer preacher. 
He organized the Church at Harmony, near Hollings¬ 
worth, in Banks County, Tates Creek, in Habersham 
(now Stephens County) and later at Corinth (now ex¬ 
tinct). His life for about seventy years was given to 
the ministry, and it was given, for he received little or 
no compensation for his services. He passed away in 
1917. Supposed to be at the time of his death about one 
hundred years of age. “Blessed are the dead who die 
in the Lord.” 


SAMUEL ISBELL 

Samuel Isbell was a minister for about thirty years, 
and, according to the records, must have been a 
preacher who obeyed the injunction of our Saviour, “As 
ye go, preach, ’ ’ for the minutes show that he was abund¬ 
ant in labors for his Lord. He was indeed a most lov¬ 
able man. As a missionary under appointment of the 
Domestic Mission Board, he was wonderfully successful 
in leading souls to Christ. He was called to his Heavenly 
reward some time between the sessions of the Association 
of 1877 and 1878. Appropriate resolutions upon his 
death were read and adopted at the session of 1878. 

Now he resides where Jesus is, above this changeful sphere, 

His soul was ripened for that bliss, while yet he sojourned here. 


HENDRICKS HAYES 

Hendricks Hayes was above the average preacher in 
ability. When or where he was ordained to the ministry 
we have no means of ascertaining. We presume his 
ordination was at Liberty Hill, but this is conjecture. 
He fell in battle in defense of his country at Waynes¬ 
boro, Ga., in 1864. At the Association in 1865, appro¬ 
priate resolutions were adopted by the body, relative 
208 


to his death. The writer of this brief sketch never saw 
him, but gathered what knowledge he has of his life 
and labors from Rev. William Kelly, who told the writer 
that he went to Waynesboro and brought his body home. 
He was a great admirer of Hendricks Hayes, and fre¬ 
quently referred to his faithfulness as a minister and 
kindness as a neighbor. His body sleeps in the family 
burial ground at his homestead, four miles south of 
Toccoa near the ‘ 1 Covered Bridge,’’ across Broad River. 

Victorious his fall, for he rose as he fell; 

With Jesus his Saviour, forever to dwell. 


J. T. W. VERNON 

J. T. W. Vernon came from the Saluda Association 
to the Tugalo, but at what time we have no means of 
ascertaining. He was an old man when the writer first 
saw him in 1870. He was a bold and fearless preacher. 
He made no apologies for being a Baptist. He seemed 
to court controversy rather than shun it. Some people 
thought that he was too much so. We know of no better 
way to describe him than to say, he was an unpolished 
diamond, for in private life and in the homes of his 
brethren, he manifested the most tender and loving dis¬ 
position. He was rough in speech and manner, but 
possessed sterling qualities of head and heart. When 
the Hebron Association was organized in 1883, he, with 
his church, left the Tugalo and became a member of that 
body and never attended another session of the Tugalo. 
He passed away at his home near Hartwell, Ga., about 
the year 1901, at a very advanced age. He was a great 
man in Israel. 

P. S. WHITMAN, D.D. 

P. S. Whitman was a native of Iowa. He was some¬ 
what advanced in age when he first came to Toccoa, in 
1874. He was graduated from Brown University, but 
209 


at what date we have no means of ascertaining. He mar¬ 
ried a Miss Caroline Crane, of Wilkes County. He was 
a great educator and was engaged mainly in teaching up 
to the beginning of the war between the States. He was a 
man of fine executive ability and amassed a very large 
fortune, which he devoted to the cause of education and 
to religious purposes. He told the writer that he had 
given $10,000.00 to Brown University, $2,000.00 to Mer¬ 
cer and $2,000.00 to Furman. He proposed to build and 
equip a Baptist School at Toccoa, on condition that the 
Tugalo, Mountain, Liberty and Clarksville Associations 
would contribute one-half the funds and he one-half. 
They paid little or no attention to his offer. He then gave 
all his property at Toccoa to a school at Belvidere, Iowa, 
where he was principal before the war of the Sixties. 
He was an exemplary man, a fine writer and an earnest 
advocate of education. He departed this life, if my 
memory serves me correctly, about 1901. 


HENRY WOOD 


Henry Wood was a native of England. At what time 
he came to the United States we have no knowledge. He 
was an aged man when he came to Georgia from South 
Carolina, and settled on Indian Creek, in Franklin 
County, Ga., where he spent the remainder of his long 
and useful life. For a few years after his removal to 
Georgia, he was actively engaged in the ministry, was 
pastor of Nails Creek Church, where he was a member; 
also at Indian Creek near his home, and perhaps some 
other churches. He was a very devout man and a good 
preacher. His last pastorate was at New Bethel, when 
he was more than eighty years of age. He passed away 
at the home of his grandson, J. W. Payne, in September, 
1888. Funeral services were conducted by the writer. 
His body reposes in the cemetery at Indian Creek 
Church. 


The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way 
of righteousness. 


210 


J. L. FIELDS 


J. L. Fields was a young teacher in the common schools 
of Franklin County, when the writer first formed his 
acquaintance, and had only recently entered the ministry 
as a licentiate. This was in 1885. If I am correctly 
informed, he came to Franklin County from Hart 
County. He was a young man without means, but with 
a determination to get an education. He was graduated 
from Furman University, at Greenville, S. C., about 
1889, and from the Seminary at Louisville, Ky., about 
1894. After his graduation he settled in South Carolina 
within the bounds of the Saluda Association. According 
to Garrett’s History of that body, he greatly endeared 
himself to the churches. He resigned his work in 
October, 1895, to become pastor of Second Baptist 
Church at Athens, Ga. Later he was pastor at Monti- 
cello, and still later at Covington, Ga. In January, 1900, 
he bought a small farm near Carnesville, Ga., and until 
1909, was pastor of churches in Franklin, Hart, Madison 
and Banks Counties, at which time he sold out and moved 
to Texas, where he was actively engaged as a pastor 
until about 1916, when he was attacked with pellagra. 
He then returned with his family to South Carolina, 
where he passed away in 1916, or possibly early in 1917. 
He was a man of broad mind and always on the right 
side of every moral question. He was a very sweet- 
spirited man, always ready to make concessions for the 
sake of harmony, but under no circumstances could he 
be induced to sacrifice principle. He was a good 
preacher, a safe counselor, and was allowed to see the 
pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand. 


W. R. WELLBORN 

According to tradition, W. R. Wellborn was reared 
and educated somewhere in Middle or perhaps Lower 
Georgia. He came to Franklin (now Banks) County 
211 


some time in the early part of the nineteenth century 
as a young physician, and later was married to Melissa 
Bush, only child of “Buck” Bush, one of the wealthiest 
men in Franklin County. When or where he was or¬ 
dained to the ministry, nothing is known. In all prob¬ 
ability, his ordination took place at Grove Level Church, 
a member of the Sarepta Association, his home being 
near that church. He later in life became a member of 
Nails Creek Church, and from 1840 to 1850, according 
to the record, was their pastor most of these years. He 
was engaged very actively as pastor of churches, and ac¬ 
cording to the minutes, was quite active in the delibera¬ 
tions of the Association. He was the author of an essay 
on “The Importance of Sabbath Schools,” which was 
printed in the minutes, and which would be of interest 
if printed in our Sunday School Literature of today. 
He also engaged actively in the practice of his profession, 
until upon account of advancing age, he withdrew from 
the practice except at his office. He passed away at his 
home, five miles west of Carnesville, Ga., in 1880, being 
at the time of his death more than 85 years of age. His 
body reposes in the cemetery at Indian Creek. The 
facts contained in the foregoing imperfect sketch were 
gathered by the writer from M. W. Gillespie, T. C. 
Lecroy, J. M. Payne, David H. Payne and others bap¬ 
tized by him when young men. He and John Moore 
were the only ministers of the Association of sixty-five 
years ago, who were called educated men, they both 
being graduates. 


M. E. PORTER 


M. E. Porter, eldest son of Deacon Samuel A. Porter, 
was brought up on his father’s farm, near Liberty Hill 
Church, in Franklin County, (now Stephens), and was 
educated in the common schools, and later, when a young 
man, was graduated from the High School at Carnes¬ 
ville. He followed teaching as long as he lived, and was 
a success as a teacher. He was also pastor of churches 
212 


m connection with teaching, and was considered an able 
minister for a beginner. He went home in 1895. The 
going of one so useful and young is one of those mys¬ 
teries that we cannot solve. D. B. Porter, pastor of the 
church at Baxley, is his brother. His body sleeps in the 
cemetery at Liberty Hill. 

In the Sweet-Bye-and-Bye, we shall meet on that beautiful shore. 


J. J. WILSON 


J. J. Wilson was a native of South Carolina, and was 
reared somewhere in the bounds of the Saluda Associa¬ 
tion, where he first entered the ministry. By whom or 
where he was ordained to the ministry we have no knowl¬ 
edge. His name is frequently mentioned in Garrett's 
History of that body. He was a son of James Wilson, 
whose brief biography is contained in Garrett's History. 
He came to Georgia in 1860, and settled on a farm on 
Hudson River, in Banks County, where he spent the 
remainder of his long and useful life. He was an able 
expounder of the Word of God, and was strictly a doc¬ 
trinal preacher. He was actively engaged as a pastor 
at Double Branch Church, Indian Creek, Homer and 
some other churches. He founded the church at Webbs 
Creek, near his home, now one of the most efficient and 
flourishing churches in the Tugalo Association, and their 
pastor at the time of his death in December, 1882. 
Funeral services were conducted by his pastor, that 
prince of preachers, D. H. Payne. His body reposes in 
the cemetery at Webbs Creek, where the bodies of many 
of his neighbors, in whose midst he had lived so long, 
and who loved him so well, sleep. He was truly a great 
man in Israel. One of our promising young preachers, 
G. F. Wilson, is a grandson of his. He also has another 

grandson who is a prominent minister, - Wilson, 

who is somewhere in the northwestern states. 

213 


W. B. BROWN 


W. B. Brown came to Georgia from North Carolina in 
1869, and settled on a farm in Banks County, on Nails 
Creek. Soon after his removal to Banks County he 
identified himself with the church at Nails Creek, where 
he retained his membership until his death in 1888. 
Owing to the infirmities of age, he was never actively 
engaged in the ministry after he became a member of 
the Association, though he preached occasionally. He 
was a man of unusual firmness and decision of character 
and an unflinching Baptist. Funeral services were con¬ 
ducted by John G. Bryan, his lifelong friend and co¬ 
laborer in North Carolina. He was truly a great man 
in Israel. 

T. J. STONECYPHER 

T. J. Stonecypher was a native of Babun County, Ga. 
He came to Franklin County late in the year 1882. He 
was somewhat advanced in life at that time. He was 
pastor at Eastanollee and Ebenezer Churches, in the 
Tugalo Association, and perhaps some other churches. 
He told the writer of this sketch that before his removal 
to Franklin County, he was actively engaged as a pastor 
in the Mountain Association. He was a man of unim¬ 
peached character, and an unflinching Baptist, a kind 
neighbor and good citizen. Like most Baptist preachers, 
he had but little of this earth’s goods, but was rich in 
faith, which, after all, is the only true riches. He en¬ 
tered into rest about fifteen years ago. An aged widow 
(his second wife), and several sons and daughters sur¬ 
vive him. This sketch is very brief, owing to want of 
material. 

JOHN C. ALRED 

The subject of this sketch was somewhat advanced in 
life before he entered the ministry. He must have been 
60 years of age. He was ordained to the full work of the 
214 


ministry at Carnes Creek about thirty years ago. He 
was a great singer, a fine Sunday School man, and an 
active church worker. He was for a number of years 
County Treasurer of Habersham County, and possessed 
the confidence of the citizenship of the county generally. 
He was never very actively engaged in the ministry, 
owing to his advanced age at the time of his ordination. 

His ministerial labors consisted for the most part in 
assisting the pastors in revival meetings and filling their 
appointments as occasion required. He spent most of 
his long and useful life in Habersham County in the 
section of country adjacent to Toccoa. 

He was born July 29, 1839, and departed this life 
August 6, 1920, being at the time of his death 81 years 
of age. His body reposes in the cemetery at Shiloh 
church, four miles Northeast of Toccoa. 


REV. W. J. PURCELL 

The beloved brother whose name stands at the head of 
this sketch, fell asleep on Wednesday, December 5, 1923, 
at his home near Liberty Hill Church, five miles south 
of Toccoa, Ga. 

He was born in Rabun County, Ga., on the 2d day of 
November, 1857. Nearly three score and ten years he 
lived among mortal men, and is now gone to live forever 
among the immortals. 

His childhood and youth was spent amid the inspiring 
surroundings of the mountains of Rabun and White 
counties. In 1875 his father removed from White 
county to Franklin county, and settled on a farm near 
Tates Creek Church. It was at this church that this 
writer first met him. A friendship between us was then 
formed which persisted to the end—a period of 48 years. 

Bro. Purcell professed religion and united with the 
Tates Creek Baptist church in August, 1876. He was 
ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry by this 
church in 1878, and became her pastor the following 
215 


year, which relation was continued until December, 1885. 

About 1886 he settled in the Liberty Hill community, 
and later removed his church membership to this church, 
where he held his church fellowship the remainder of 
his useful life. 

He was happily married to Miss Ella Mitchell, daugh¬ 
ter of the late Elisha Mitchell, near Martin, Ga., who 
together with six daughters and two sons survive him, 
two of the children having died in infancy. 

His pastorates were in the Tugalo, Clarkesville, Lib¬ 
erty, Hebron and Beaverdam Associations, but was 
mainly confined to the Tugalo. His pastorate in the 
Beaverdam, S. C., Association, was at Beaverdam Church 
near Fair Play, embracing a period of several years. 
Reed Creek, Bowersville, Holly Springs, Rehoboth and 
Shoal Creek, in the Hebron; Bethlehem in the Clarkes¬ 
ville; Shiloh and Tates Creek in the Liberty. He was 
pastor of the following named churches in the Tugalo 
for a longer or shorter period: Hunters Creek, New 
Hope, Ziden, Cross Roads, Clarks Creek, Pleasant Grove, 
the Second Baptist, Toccoa, and New Bethel. His long 
pastorials have been Poplar Springs. This pastorate 
was a great joy to him. The writer was leaving that 
church to go to Nails Creeks. The Poplar Springs 
brethren asked the retiring pastor to recommend a man, 
and he recomended Bro. Purcell without reserve. The 
Church called him by an unanimous vote. It was a 
most happy and successful pastorate for both pastor and 
people. It continued for at least 27 consecutive years; 
and my impression is that it was longer. 

First and last, he was pastor at Middle River 33 years, 
and Liberty Hill 21 years. 

He was Moderator of the Tugalo Association 13 years. 
His active ministerial life embraced a period of 44 years. 

Bro. PurcelPs controlling moral characteristic was his 
trueness, as the needle points to the pole; so his moral 
nature to what he thought was right. He could not be 
swerved from what he conceived to be right. He was 
ever ready to make concessions for the sake of harmony 
when no principle was involved, but where he did think 
216 


right principle was involved he was “ unshaken as the 
sacred hills, and firm as mountains be.” His preaching 
was strictly evangelistic, always holding up Christ to 
the lost as the sinner’s only hope of salvation. There 
was a magnetism about him which the writer cannot de¬ 
scribed, but it was a magnetism which drew large congre¬ 
gations, and they remained drawn. 

He was greatly beloved by the young people of his 
congregations, and it is not exaggerating to say that he 
has baptized more people than any minister in the history 
of the Association. 

Some one has said that if you would know the real man, 
find out what his home life is. If this be true, then he 
was a model man; for he was a patriarch in his family. 
He was gentle and affectionate to his companion, kind 
and indulgent toward his children, at the same time firm 
in his discipline. ‘‘His children rise up and call him 
blessed, his wife, and she praiseth him.” 

His central intellectual characteristic was his penetra¬ 
tion and memory. Few men could reach conclusions 
more readily, more clearly or more accurately in a mat¬ 
ter with which he was confronted, and few men remem¬ 
bered so long and well what was seen and learned. 

As a preacher, Bro. Purcell was not profound, but 
clear and simple; always adapting his preaching to his 
particular audience, always manifesting more concern 
for the salvation of the lost than for the homiletics of 
his discourse, or the rounding out of beautiful sentences, 
though he was by no means rude or coarse, for he pos¬ 
sessed much of real refinement. 

As a friend, he was unaffected, companionable, inter¬ 
esting, and always dependable. 

After divine services, scripture reading by B. H. 
Kelley, prayer by W. T. Holcomb, brief talks by G-. C. 
Steed, R. L. Davis and the writer, closing prayer by 
J. S. Hartsfield, his body was laid to rest by the Masonic 
Fraternity in the cemetery at Liberty Hill. All his 
family were with him when the end came, which was 
calm and peaceful. 

For 48 years we have been true yoke fellows, together 

217 


we have preached, together we have prayed, together 
we have rejoiced. He is gone to his reward and I am 
left alone, and yet I am not alone for God is with me. 

“A few more storms shall beat on this wild rocky shore /’ and 
then I shall join my dear old brother in happy union on the 
other shore, “And we shall be where tempests cease and surges 
swell no more. M 


218 


CONSTITUTION OF THE TUGALO 
ASSOCIATION 

1923 


As it has been found expedient for the churches of Jesus Christ, 
within convenient distance of each other, to be in some way 
associated, in order to promote mutual piety and secure unity of 
faith, harmony of feeling and concert of action in religious 
enterprise; we do hereby set forth the following articles as the 
basis on which the said churches propose to associate. 

ARTICLE I 

Those members who are regularly chosen by the churches in the 
Union shall compose the Association, and the members thus chosen 
shall produce letters from their respective churches, certifying 
their appointment together with the usual statistics provided for 
in letters. 

ARTICLE II 

The Association shall have a Moderator, Assistant Moderator, 
Clerk and Treasurer, who shall be chosen by majority ballot of 
the members present, annually, who shall act until their suc¬ 
cessors are elected, and that the Moderator and Assistant Mod¬ 
erator be eligible for service for not more than two years con¬ 
secutively. 

ARTICLE III 

Churches may be admitted into this Union by letter and messen¬ 
gers; and upon examination, if found orthodox and orderly, shall 
be received, the Moderator extending the right hand of fellowship. 

ARTICLE IV 

Every church in this Union shall be entitled to three messengers 
and an additional messenger for every fifty members over the 
first hundred. 


219 


ARTICLE V 


There shall be an executive committee of two from each district, 
together with all resident pastors. The committee shall have 
charge of all the interests of the Association between sessions. 


ARTICLE VI 


Members attending 
as correspondents. 


other Associations may report themselves 
ARTICLE VII 


This body shall be governed by Mells ‘‘Parliamentary Prac¬ 
tice. ’ * 


ARTICLE VIII 


The Constitution and by-laws may be amended by two-thirds * 
vote of the members present, when it is deemed necessary. 


ARTICLE IX 

This Association will not retain in its fellowship any church 
which tolerates, aids, or abets the manufacture, sale or use of 
intoxicants, by its members; nor a church which is out of accord 
with our denominational work. 


220 






















# 



























% 


% 
























































































































































































































































































